BT is trying to raise awareness of advanced super-fast broadband
technologies such as fibre-based connectivity, its BT Vision TV
service, and other home and
business-related applications with the launch of its first
dedicated Broadband stores.
The stores will work in much the same fashion as Apple's
own-branded shops by showcasing BT products in a more traditional
sales environment, and are clearly planned to drive take-up of its
new services.
BT Retail marketing director Matthew Dearden said: "The showcase
shows local people what super-fast broadband, currently being
trialled in their areas, is all about and enables them to see
demonstrations of a range of home and business applications that
will enhance their lives."
The first two locations - Muswell Hill in North London and
Whitchurch in Wales - are scheduled to open their doors within the
month, and BT has not ruled out stores elsewhere.
Both are located in areas slated for trials of BT's
Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) technology, which promises vastly
increased broadband speeds.
But FTTH is one area where the UK is lagging, according to
business communications provider Viatel.
Viatel is working closely with BT on trials of the technology
but was not scared to criticise its partner for concentrating more
on Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC), the focus of BT's massive
super-fast broadband investment which while fast, is significantly
slower than FTTH.
Viatel connectivity and security services product manager Steve
Powell said: "As yet [the UK] has no national published planned
roll-out intentions for FTTH other than green field sites such as
Ebbsfleet."
Discussing figures that show the UK is well outside the European
FTTH Council's list of top 10 European fibre nations, Powell said:
"Unsurprisingly BT appears to be concentrating on wringing the last
drop of performance from the last-mile copper PSTN network, and who
can blame them, they already own this infrastructure."
A version of this story originally appeared on
MicroScope.