TalkTalk will be boosting their LLU network to cover 90% of the population according to a statement received by ISPreview. TalkTalk plan to unbundle a further 300 exchanges which will take them to over 2,000 in total. There are almost 5,500 BT exchanges in the country, so a large number will still remain not connected to the TalkTalk network, but these are largely in rural areas where line density is lower.
TalkTalk also plan to increase network capacity with an expected 50% year on year rise in data consumption over the coming years.
"We've currently unbundled just over 1,700 phone exchanges around the UK, meaning that our customers near these exchanges are on our own fibre network rather than on BT's legacy infrastructure. This gives us coverage for about 80% of the UK population but our aim is to increase this over the next year. We're planning to unbundle a further 300 exchanges, taken us to over 2,000 in total, and pushing us to coverage of nearly 90% of the population.
We're also upgrading the capacity of our network in anticipation of ever-higher internet usage. The industry expectation is that consumption of data online will increase by a whopping 50% year on year over the next few years. We're enhancing our network to cope with this explosive rise in demand.
This upward trend is being boosted by the rise of online TV and video services like BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and, of course, YouTube. Soon these will be joined by Canvas, the online TV service we are a part of, which will provide an iPlayer-style catch-up service on your TV set, while also giving you additional content and features.
TalkTalk Statement
2010 is likely to be a bumper year for broadband usage with the Winter Olympics providing online content and the World Cup likely to increase broadband data usage as the BBC and ITV will be streaming matches live online. Many people are likely to take advantage of catch-up services such as iPlayer to see missed games, and users should be careful to monitor their broadband usage using tools such as our Broadband Usage Meter to ensure they don't exceed their broadband usage.
Talk Talk just gets slower slower.
February 6Mb March 3-4Mb April 2-3Mb.
My rural exchange is unlikely to be unbundled soon and I pay a £15 surcharge for the privilege.