Portsmouth's super-connected city plan relies on FTTC

Portsmouth City Council (PCC) has revealed its plans to become a super-connected city will largely rely on fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) broadband technology.

The city is one of 27 locations in the running for a share of the government's £50 million urban broadband fund, which is designed to support the rollout of universal next-generation fixed-line and wireless broadband networks.

In a tender document, the local authority said it is looking to speak to providers with an interest in deploying high-speed and ultra-fast broadband services to 100 per cent of homes and businesses within the city by 2013-14.

The council has assumed this will be achieved through a predominantly FTTC-based fibre optic broadband solution, the publication explains.

However, the strategy also outlines the possibility of delivering typical speeds of 300Mbps to "targeted business areas and new developments" across the city via the installation of fibre-to-the-premises infrastructure.

In addition, PCC wants to see wireless broadband coverage extended across the city, bringing full internet access to residents, businesses, schools, visitors and council staff.

"The plan requires an open access, wholesale platform across the city offering both fibre-based and wireless solutions, to enable competitive retail service provision to all Portsmouth residents," the council explained.