Utility firm fires up rival broadband network

The comms division of utility company Lattice Group, formerly British Gas, has questioned broadband rivals' business plans by launching another fibre network.

186k has launched the Southern and Central rings of its national core network. Two final rings, London and the North, are set to go live by the end of the year.

Only last week, Colt Telecom said demand for wholesale bandwidth had slumped. And three weeks ago, Network News reported that Atlantic Telecom, which operated fixed wireless and DSL networks, had called in administrators.

The network connects 20 towns and cities across the UK from Glasgow to Bristol and links with Mans in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

186k CEO, Lawrie Haynes, dismissed talk of a bandwidth glut. "Our research shows that despite highly-competitive bandwidth supply in some parts of the UK there is massive demand on a national and regional basis," he said.

"The UK broadband market is still in its infancy, but despite its under-developed status, broadband sales among the current leading players are growing year on year at well over 100 per cent."

In September, 186k signed a 20-year deal to supply Hutchison 3G with nationwide network and collocation services to support its 3G wireless network. And last week it was awarded a 10-year contract by NCP Manchester to supply a network infrastructure to link its Manchester car parks with CCTV.