BT Customers To Get Free Broadband Speed Boost

BT has announced plans to boost the broadband speeds of millions of its residential and business customers from 8Mbps to up to 20Mbps for free.

Over 60,000 BT consumers are already enjoying the faster speeds through a BT trial where lines have been upgraded to ADSL 2+ technology.

BT’s plans mean that 40% of UK homes will get the increased broadband speeds using ADSL 2+ technology by this summer, with 55% expected by March 2010. BT Business customers will start to benefit from today.

BT is the UK’s largest broadband supplier with over 4.8 million customers. This means its plans will lead to an increase in average broadband speeds and thus support Lord Carter’s Digital Britain goal of 2Mbps for all.

The Chief Executive Officer of BT Retail, Gavin Patterson said, “Unlike other providers, BT is upgrading customers to 20Mb/s for free. High-speed broadband provides a faster and more reliable service that will transform the way we live, work, learn and play”.

“We are already the UK’s largest retailer of broadband and today’s announcement shows that we offer terrific value for money. We believe the true value of broadband is in helping customers enjoy the exciting new services that it makes possible. In line with the Government’s Digital Britain review, we will be making higher speeds more widely available”.

From early summer, new and existing BT Broadband customers living in an enabled exchange area will be eligible for the boost to up to 20Mbps broadband. Prices will remain from just £7.78 per month.

Customers are being asked to check BT.com to find out when they can get 20Mb and also to order it there online.

In separate news, BT said it was commencing the first trials of its 40Mpbs broadband service in Whitchurch, South Wales and Muswell Hill, London this summer.

Further information on BT’s current range of broadband packages can be found at the BT.com website or our BT Broadband review.