subject: Should You Get Fast Broadband From Bt? [print this page] Up until recently there was only one place to get super fast broadband in the UK - Virgin Media. Now BT are offering it too but should you get their fast broadband?
The first thing to note is that BT are on the up and up.
After a recorded loss in 2009 BT has now posted profits of 1BN this year giving it the green light to continue its expansion of a super fast broadband network.
Politicians keen to tout a high performing broadband network as part of the new digital revolution have also given BT their backing.
The second thing to note is that more people can get fast BT broadband deals than you might think.
BT currently covers 44 per cent of households and hopes to give high speed broadband access to 60 per cent of households when it completes its roll out mid 2012.
With Virgin Media already exceeding expectations on its own high speed fibre optic broadband network you can see why BT is aggressively pursuing its own ambitions hoping to capture more of the market share.
BT's broadband ambitions will be one of its key assets and a source of potential growth which is why it is setting aside 1.5 Bn over and above the current budget.
Third, however, you should consider whether it's worth you getting super-fast broadband at all.
Unless you're a fan of online gaming, high definition television or generally using the internet for entertainment you might be fine with slower internet.
Interest in these areas has encouraged BT to invest heavily in its broadband network as it feels the consumers need for high speed internet will continue to grow.
In order to grab a further share of the online gaming market BT has bought Onlive, a silicon valley internet firm, this will allow its customers all the latest gaming titles through its high speed broadband connection.
Finally, it's worth noting that BT could be a good choice if you want TV as well as broadband, in this sense it could be a good alternative to either Sky or Virgin.
Also on the cards for BT is investing 200m into BT Vision enabling it to compete with Sky Sports. After a few minor legal wrangles changes were made to the way BSkyB offer its sports channels which means BT Vision can start offering Premiership football at competitive rates. This could help BT boost its subscriber base which currently stands at 467,000.
If BT's profits continue to rise and it doesn't lose too much ground to Virgin Media then we should see it becoming a major player in the high speed broadband race that is currently going on and certainly a good option for some of the UK's fastest broadband.
