BT unveils fibre broadband packages, first exchanges

BT has unveiled the pricing for its fibre broadband, starting from 19.99 a month.

The service will offer download speeds up to 40Mbps, but only in areas where fibre is rolled out - see below for the initial list.

At the moment, the fibre optic based system is being tested in Muswell Hill, Whitchurch and Glasgow, with the service being enabled across 30 exchanges on Monday for service by the end of next month - see below for the full list.

BT promised four million homes and businesses will have access by the end of the year, and 10 million by 2012.

Business pricing

For businesses, there are two options. The first offers download speeds of 40Mbps and uploads of 2Mbps for 30 a month. The second offers uploads of up to 10Mbps for 45 a month. Both are 24-month contracts; signing on with a 12-month contract will cost an extra 5 a month.

The business prices are a bit higher than the consumer prices, but a BT spokeswoman told IT PRO that the "business product traffic will be prioritised," so it's more consistent during the day. It will also come with support and after 28 days businesses will be given a single point of contact to report faults and ask questions.

Consumer pricing

The consumer version, BT Infinity, will offer two price packages. The first offers up to 40Mbps downloads and 2Mbps uploads, capped with a 20GB monthly usage allowance and 250 minutes of Wi-Fi, for 19.99 a month plus a 50 connection charge.

The second offers unlimited access and Wi-Fi with 40Mbps downloads and 10Mbps uploads for 24.99 with no connection charge. Both require an 18-month contract.

BT was quite happy to compare the pricing to Virgin Media's own fibre service, noting it's own was 7.47 cheaper, though 10Mbps slower, than its rival's offer.

Exchanges

Exchanges hooked up by the end of February include the three trial sites of Muswell Hill, Witchurch in Cardiff, and Glasgow Halfway, as well as:

Calder Valley

Cardiff

Dean

Glasgow Western

Halifax

Leagrave

Pudsey

Taffswell

Thamesmead

Bury, Greater Manchester