BT launches 100Mbps fibre broadband service

BT has gone head to head with Virgin Media in the ultra-fast fibre optic broadband market by launching its first up to 100Mbps service.

The telecoms giant said its new package offers the same download speed as Virgin's top-tier product, but comes with upload rates that are 50 per cent faster.

Furthermore, the service will be upgraded to offer up to 300Mbps download capabilities in spring 2012.

A limited number of exchanges will initially be able to sign up for BT Infinity Option 3, with these locations including Highams Park and Leytonstone in London, Ilford in the London borough of Redbridge and Ashford in Middlesex.

The service makes use of fibre optic cables running all the way to a customer's home.

In contrast, the company's more widely available fibre-to-the-cabinet product involves properties being connected to a fibre-enabled street cabinet via copper cables.

John Petter, managing director of BT's consumer division, commented: "We are seeing very encouraging take-up of our fibre-based broadband and we now have more than 300,000 customers."