BT is to work with the government and local authorities on the
roll out plan for its
£1.5bn fibre network, which promises to deliver connection
speeds of 40mbps to domestic internet users.
BT said it would work with government and local authorities to
deploy the fibre network in rural and remote areas.
However, David Harrington, head of regulation at the
Communications Management Association, warned that businesses were
unlikely to benefit from cheaper links from BT's investment in
fibre in the short term. However, in the long term, IT directors
could benefit as staff and smaller businesses in a company's supply
chain move onto BT's fibre network.
BTs fibre network could be used to enable next generation
applications, said professional services firm Capgemini. Growth
areas include telemedicine, where people with terminal illnesses
can be monitored at home using an internet-connected device, rather
than having to visit a GP's surgery.
Mike Cansfield, principal analyst at Forrester Research, said
videoconferencing and video-based training could also be used on
the BT network.
Richard Steel, chairman of local government IT directors group
Socitim, said he was keen to find out how BT planned to work with
local government.
"In the past, we have had some issues because network companies
only want to invest in areas where there is quick payback, which
tend not to be those we need them in."
Steel said he was unhappy that network operators preferred to
sell managed services rather than offer local authorities privately
operated optical fibre networks, known as dark fibre networks,
which were more cost-effective investments for councils.
As CIO of Newham Borough Council, Richard Steel oversaw the
development of a dark fibre network for residents. He said, "We
are always prepared to listen, and the capital investment in
extending Newham's own fibre infrastructure was agreed by our
mayor, so now is a good time for BT to talk to us."