NGA plans 'won't cover half of high demand areas'

BT's plans to connect 10 million homes to a high-speed next-generation access (NGA) broadband network are inadequate when measured against demand for faster services, it has been claimed.

Analysis by broadband monitoring firm Point Topic has found that the plans fall short of demand, with around 60 per cent of the UK population unlikely to be on the NGA network until after 2012.

BT has said that it should hit its 10 million target by 2012, with most of the properties connected via FTTC (fibre-to-the-cabinet) technology, which could offer speeds of 40Mbps, though some will use FTTP (fibre-to-the-premises) technology, potentially offering speeds of 100Mbps.

The company has issued a map showing where BT is planning to roll out NGA, in red and pink, and where the demand for broadband in the UK is concentrated.

"The current plans won't even cover half of the areas of high demand," said Tim Johnson of Point Topic.

He also pointed out that as NGA could potentially increase property prices in areas where it could be accessed, it was important for local government know when an area would be connected to the NGA network.

Next-generation fibre optic broadband rollout map

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