BT boosts fibre broadband footprint in Q4

BT significantly expanded the footprint of its fibre optic broadband network during the final three months of 2012, passing around 1.3 million properties in the quarter.

The telecoms giant is planning to invest £2.5 billion in its commercial super-fast broadband rollout as it seeks to bring the technology within reach of two-thirds of the UK.

As well as boosting its coverage during the three-month period, BT saw take-up of the service grow significantly. Around 250,000 connections were added, meaning that approximately 1.25 million homes and businesses are now hooked up to a fibre optic-based broadband service from BT.

Subscribers on super-fast packages now represent 16 per cent of the company's retail broadband customer base.

Ian Livingston, BT's chief executive, said take-up of the service has been growing "strongly".

"Our fibre plans are helping to make the UK a broadband leader in Europe," he added.

The company signed two major contracts this week that will see it roll out fibre optic broadband across Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire with the support of public funding.