100Mbits/sec broadband coming to Sheffield's sewers

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 8 Jul 2009 at 11:49

Sheffield has joined the ranks benefiting from H20's super-fast broadband rollout.

H2O specialises in deploying fibre broadband networks through the sewers - a method which it claims is far cheaper and more environmentally friendly than digging up the roads and laying cable.

It also accelerates the rollout process, according to H20, with the company promising to complete work in Sheffield by September. H20 is already deploying networks in Bournemouth and Dundee.

The network is capable of speeds of up to 100Mbits/sec, dwarfing BT's 40Mbits/sec fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) network, which is slated to reach 40% of UK homes by 2012. However, the telecoms company is trialling 100Mbits/sec to new builds in Kent.

The H20 rollout is no guarantee of superfast broadband for the residents of Sheffield. H2O simply installs the infrastructure and is dependent on ISPs to deliver the service to customers.

There's no ISP currently in place to offer the service, though a spokesperson claims talks are ongoing.