IDATE warns lack of FTTH funding could be 'dangerous game' for BT

BT could lose customers to the likes of Virgin Media if it fails to invest in sufficiently fast broadband infrastructure, according to telecoms research and analysis firm IDATE.

Rather than funding the rollout of ultra-fast broadband technologies such as fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), BT is concentrating on extending the life of its copper network by focusing on fibre-to-the-cabinet deployments.

Speaking to Total Telecom, director of IDATE's telecoms business unit Roland Montagne queried whether solutions that help operators get higher speeds from copper broadband will allow BT to compete with cable company Virgin Media and even pay TV giant Sky.

He warned BT is "maybe playing a dangerous game", noting that cable operators are able to provide higher bandwidth by making the switch to the DOCSIS 3.1 standard.

However, the FTTH Council Europe claimed the development of faster cable technologies could deliver a much-needed shot in the arm for ultra-fast fibre-based broadband.

Nadia Babaali, the organisation's communications director, claimed BT may be persuaded to shell out on FTTH infrastructure in order to keep pace with Virgin Media.

This trend has already been seen in markets such as Spain, where Orange and Telefonica pushed forward with fibre rollouts following competition from cable company Ono.