BT plans expansion of superfast broadband

BT is set to use its full-year results on Thursday to outline an expansion of its superfast broadband network. Ian Livingston, chief executive, is expected to say the UK's leading fixed-line phone company will expand the planned reach of the network from 40 per cent of homes to 66 per cent.

The proposal is expected to increase the cost of the infrastructure beyond the existing budget of £1.5bn ($2.2bn). But the move underlines how Mr Livingston regards the superfast broadband network as one of BT's key assets, and a source of potential growth. BT declined to comment. The original plan, first outlined in 2008, was to run the infrastructure past 40 per cent of homes by March 2013. In December, BT said it would complete the roll-out by mid-2012. But politicians are keen to see BT extend the infrastructure, and the company is competing with Virgin Media, the cable television group that also has a high-speed broadband network.