Milton Keynes to see huge benefits from super-fast broadband service

The outdated communications network in Milton Keynes could soon be gone following the announcement of a new broadband trial offering super-fast internet connection speeds is, which could provide the local economy with a huge boost.

The equipment that will be able to deliver broadband connection speeds of up to 100Mbps, which is 100 times quicker than the speeds currently available, will be trialled by BT in Milton Keynes and one other location in the UK.

The improvements made by this rollout could make the city the commercial centre of the midlands as well as providing the area with high-speed broadband services.

The spokesman for Milton Keynes Broadband Action Group (MKBAG), Adam Chapman said: “If, after the trial, such speeds were rolled out across the city, it will generate inward financial investment, helping us become the commercial centre for the midlands for the next 10 years. Infrastructure like this is vital to keep Milton Keynes moving in the direction we all want it to.”

By March 2010 the trials by BT should be run from the Bradwell Abbey telephone exchange and would allow improved services to be enjoyed by as much as 25 percent of the premises in the city.

For the first time in the UK, fibre-to-the-premises, or FTTP technology will be tested in a ‘brownfield’ site, which is a place where copper, or aluminium in the city’s case, cabling exists already according to Paul Hayward, the BT regional media relations manager.

In comparison to the original communications infrastructure that was laid when the city was in its early years, the FTTP, which uses fibre optic cabling to run directly to each premises from the main exchange, is far better.

Mr Chapman said “This is a fantastic development for Milton Keynes and of national importance. Our group is immensely supportive of it. But I do wonder what will happen at the end of the trial, if people will keep the new lines and if so will it be rolled out across the whole of the city.”

Source – Milton Keynes