BT are going to pilot Broadband Enabling Technology (BET) that is designed to help deliver broadband to broadband “not spot” areas.
The technology is designed to make broadband available by a fixed line up to 12km (7.5 miles) away from the local telephone exchange and that are currently out of reach receiving broadband at the moment.
Stable 1Mb broadband speeds (speed test) have been achieved with lines that are between 7km and 12km and when the copper wire is bonded with another it means that the speed can increase to 2Mb.
2Mb broadband is the minimum target aim for the whole country that the government announced in it’s Digital Britain report earlier this year to be done by 2112.
Basically how the BET works is by using a dedicated copper line that is not shared meaning that the broadband signal can reach much further distances as the line is not being shared with others.
There are an estimated 160,000 “not spot” homes in the UK that are too far from their telephone exchange to be able to receive broadband, it is estimated that up to to 140,000 of these could benefit and be able to make use of the technology.
Initially there are 10 locations in that are having the Broadband Enabling Technology installed, these are:
- Twyford – Berkshire
- Badsey – Worcestershire
- Llanfyllin – Powys
- Leyland – Lancashire
- Ponteland – Northumberland
- Wigton – Cumbria
- Horsham – West Sussex
- Wymondham – Norfolk
- Inverness Culloden – Scotland
- Dingwall – Scotland
The pilot of BET is due to commence on 30th September and BT will be contacting customers who live in each area to invite them to sign up for it. Customers will need to pay for their broadband service with the broadband provider of their choice.
