BT to upgrade 180 exchanges to SDSL – report

Yet to decide, says BT

BT is preparing to convert around 180 exchanges to SDSL following trials of the broadband technology.

ADSLGuide reports that the roll-out will be done in two phases with 28 exchanges being converted in March and a further 150 added in April.

The exchanges listed on ADSLGuide cover areas across the UK including Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Sheffield.

BT begin trials of SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) services in October at around 20 exchanges in London ahead of a planned full roll-out from the middle of 2003.

The SDSL services being tested give speeds of up to 2Mbit/s both upstream and downstream over a copper line.

A spokesman for BT Wholesale admitted that the company did intend to extend the service but couldn't say which areas would be getting the business-class service.

"The decision has yet to be made," said a BT spokesman. ®

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