BT set to launch ‘ultrafast’ internet

“Ultra-fast” broadband using direct fiber-optic connections will become available to most British homes and businesses next year, after a significant technological breakthrough by BT, the telecoms group.

The advance, to be announced in BT’s third-quarter results on Feb 3, will place the UK at the vanguard of the European race for the highest available broadband speeds with connections of up to 300mbps. It will also provide a major boost to government aspirations to provide 90 per cent of homes and businesses with access to superfast broadband by 2015. Jeremy Hunt, culture secretary, has described the technology as “fundamental” to the UK’s future economic success.