Fujitsu rolls out next-gen rural broadband

Fujitsu has confirmed it will be building its own super-fast broadband network in the UK to bring connections to five million rural homes.

The wholesale network will use technology from Cisco to bring the fibre up to speed. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will then sell the connections, with Virgin Media and TalkTalk already signed up to the network.

Duncan Tait, chief executive (CEO) of Fujitsu said: "There is a unique opportunity for the UK to re-establish itself as a world leader by having the world's most advanced fibre network."

"If done correctly this can be a key vehicle to accelerate recovery in the UK and bring genuine choice to generations of communities starved of participating fully in the UK economy."

Fujitsu is planning on Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, rather than Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC), meaning 1Gbps download speeds will be available from the start. Fujitsu also claimed the technology would be "future-proof" for up to 30 years, with the possibility of raising speeds to 10Gbps going forward.

However, the plans are dependent on BT adhering to the Ofcom ruling to open up its underground ducts and telegraph poles to rivals.

The plans have won the backing of communications minister, Ed Vaizey, who said: "Superfast broadband is already helping businesses grow and improving the lives of those able to access it but many rural and hard to reach areas are missing out."

He added: "Creating this superfast broadband network will help improve the economic and social prospects of the homes and businesses where high-speed internet access remains just a dream."

Locations of the lucky premises to get the connections have not been revealed as of yet. IT PRO asked Fujitsu when the roll-out would begin, and completed by, but the company had not responded to our request at the time of publication.

Yesterday, figures from Point Topic suggested there would be more than 250,000 super-fast broadband connections in the UK by the end of this month.