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United Kingdom : GIGABIT fibre broadband network for Basingstoke trial build by Sky [TendersInfo (India)]
[June 24, 2014]

United Kingdom : GIGABIT fibre broadband network for Basingstoke trial build by Sky [TendersInfo (India)]


(TendersInfo (India) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sky has constructed its own fibre optic broadband network for a small group of homes in Basingstoke, possibily delivering speeds of up to 950Mbps.

Such speeds would far outdo the best widely available download speed in the UK, which is at present up to 152Mbps from Virgin Media.

A Sky spokesperson said, This trial will help us to understand the potential for new technology to support us in giving customers an even better broadband service .

Sky's trial comprises using overhead poles to bring fibre optic cables straight to residents' homes rather than to the local exchange. This would allow much higher download speeds by removing the need to use copper cables between the exchange and a user's home.



Glenn Peacey, Programme Manager for Broadband at Hampshire Council, who assisted Sky to find an appropriate trial location within the county, said he was pleased Sky had chosen to run it in Hampshire.

He said, Competition is always good; it means wider coverage and more choice for consumers .


"We're hoping Sky and other providers can help fill in the gaps in broadband coverage in urban and higher density rural areas.

The selected trial area, the name of which Sky refuses to disclose, is already served by BT and Virgin Media.

Mr Peacey stated the trial will not interfere with the rollout of BT s superfast broadband as part of the government s BDUK programme.

The trial, which is being operated by Sky TV installers Love Digital, will run for 12 months. Sky refused to comment on whether it would be extended to other areas.

A Sky spokesperson said, We await the results of the trial before confirming any further details .

The trial recommends that Sky may be planning to run its own fibre network, rather than continuing to rely on Openreach s infrastructure. Sky earlier this year declared a partnership with gigabit fibre broadband provider Cityfibre and TalkTalk to bring fibre-to-the-home broadband to York.

(c) 2014 Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

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