IT News and Information Blog

Good News for Broadband Users  10.10.2010

BT has been forced by OFCOM to allow competitors control its fibre optic cable. This is good news for anyone wanting high speed broadband.

BBC News reported that, "The regulator has also told BT that it must give rival ISPs access to its underground ducts and telegraph poles to build their own fibre networks."

What does this mean for users? That there will (hopefully) be greater access to fibre optic cable connections for broadband. What does THIS mean? That the so-called high-speed broadband connections advertised by BT and other – which are very rarely achieved – can actually be achieved.

Why is this? Most broadband connections use the old, existing telephone lines, which are made of copper. Copper is fine for telephone conversations, but it has severe limitations for high speed digital communication, which broadband is.

One key aspect is the distance from your home or office to the telephone exchange: the further you are, the slower the connection. AND the maximum distance for any broadband connection is a pathetic three miles.

Fibre optic cable overcomes this weakness, along with a lot of others. So, if you have optic, you really can have a fast broadband connection!

Now the bad news. BT can set its own prices for the access. One step forward, one step back. Maybe everyone who has a rubbish broadband connection should contact OFCOM and say, "This isn't good enough!".

What do you think? Send us your comments!