BT’s superfast broadband to reach Glasgow by autumn

UK telco BT will launch high-speed fibre broadband services in Glasgow this autumn, according to reports, which is earlier than expected.

BT will roll out the service to 15,500 homes and businesses in the Hillington, Cardonald and Crookston areas of Glasgow.

In July, BT announced plans to offer its super-fast fibre broadband service to 1.5 million households by early summer 2010. In total, 69 locations in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will be able to receive the service by next summer. BT has pledged to invest £1.5bn (€1.75bn) on its fibre rollout programme, with the aim of delivering super-fast broadband services to 40% of the UK, approximately 10 million homes, by 2012.

Separately, press reports suggest that the UK government is unlikely to push ahead with plans for a £6 (€7) a year tax on fixed phone lines to pay for next-generation broadband before the next general election, due next year. The controversial plan was raised by the recent Digital Britain report, which addressed ways of bridging the digital divide and extending high-speed services to rural areas.