O2 will trial fibre optic broadband in the UK

BROADBAND PROVIDER O2 has revealed plans to launch a commercial trial of fibre optic broadband later this year.

Details are thin at present as O2 mentioned no date or area for the trial. O2 is aiming to offer a 'superfast' broadband service and is currently looking at packages and pricing.

Felix Geyr, O2's head of home and broadband said, "In the last few months I have seen more and more of you asking when we plan to launch a fibre service and I am delighted to tell you that O2 aims to launch a commercial trial later this year."

"What we are determined to do is offer a service that has all the things you love about our existing LLU broadband packages - great service and support and of course super fast speeds."

O2 will be going up against the likes of BT and Virgin Media which both offer fibre optic broadband services. BT offers speeds up to 40Mbits/s and Virgin Media currently offers the UK's fastest speed of 100Mbits/s.

Virgin Media is rolling out its service at a high rate, recently passing the 4 million homes mark. It plans to reach nearly 13 million homes by mid-2012.

O2's web site claims it is cheaper than its competitors for home broadband deals, so price will be an important factor in taking on the big names in the fibre optic game. It is likely that deals will be discounted for existing O2 customers.

As to the future of the project, Geyr added, "Our current planning is for a service to be available later this year. Nearer the time we will launch a pre-registration programme, prioritising our existing customers first." µ