This briefing on Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) operational pilot sites is for all Communications Providers (CPs).

Openreach is pleased to announce the sites for the FTTC operational pilot.

Openreach is pleased to announce the sites chosen for the operational pilot of FTTC due to begin in summer 2009.  Two exchanges, one in Muswell Hill London and one in Whitchurch, South Glamorgan will be used to conduct FTTC pilots involving up to 15,000 customer premises for each exchange.

The sites were selected based on demand from CPs and the Regional Authorities in these areas, as well as current network topology and our ability to run testing procedures in the chosen areas.  Areas which were short listed but not selected will be considered alongside many more areas for next stage pilots expected later in 2009.

Areas within the two initial locations will be available for CPs to offer their customers the opportunity of being part of Openreach's programme to test, analyse and evolve the initial infrastructure and fast access product.  The homes and businesses selected to take part in the pilot can expect to benefit from headline speeds of up to 40Mb initially.  This will enable them to enjoy markedly faster upload and download speeds and the ability to enjoy multiple services simultaneously without losing line speed.  The capability will be provided by CPs using the Openreach fast access product based on FTTC technology.

The installation of new infrastructure will involve construction activity in the pilot areas and these will be co-ordinated between Openreach and the appropriate Authority offices, following standard notification and regulatory procedures.  Customers within the pilot area will receive an engineer visit to install new fibre-compatible Network Termination Equipment (NTE) within their premises to enable the fast access offering.

The pilots will follow a planned technical trial in the Foxhall exchange area of Kesgrave, Suffolk in early 2009.

If you wish to discuss the information contained within this brief, please contact your Customer Business Manager.

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