Latest News

"Up to 40Mbps" fibre optic broadband update

22 July 2010: We are now pleased to announce the new fibre optic broadband packages which are to be launched from September. These superfast broadband services will offer download speeds of "Up to 40Mbps". You will also benefit from a guaranteed minimum download speed of 8Mbps at busy times. For business products this is increased to a minimum of 12Mbps.

We are in the process of developing these new services which use fibre optic cabling for part of the network to deliver faster broadband to homes and businesses. It is important to us that we develop these new services in line with our mission to provide the best ISP service in the UK. We are therefore working hard to ensure we provide you with the same level of service and support that you expect from us for fibre optic broadband.

Our new fibre optic broadband services

We will be offering a range of packages to meet our customers' requirements with options for 2Mbps or 10Mbps upload speeds and 'prioritised traffic' to guarantee minimum download speeds.

We will not implement a Fair Usage Policy (FUP) or traffic shaping as we believe they are misleading for our customers. All our services have broadband usage allowances which are clearly stated when you order the service. You can therefore choose the product you require depending on how you intend to use your broadband service.

Please follow this link to find out more information on FUP and traffic shaping.

PCs will not require upgrading to use fibre optic broadband, however if you want to connect more than one PC you will require an Ethernet compatible router or LAN switch.

Fibre Broadband packages

All our Fibre Broadband services will offer Up to 40Mbps downstream speeds and will be available from £30+VAT per month. The following 4 packages will be available on 12 month contracts from our launch in September when our full pricing details will be released:

How will Fibre Optic Broadband benefit you?

• File download and upload in seconds (swift online back-up, share media heavy documents for better collaboration, quicker software updates etc)
• No delay in bringing up Internet pages
• Minimum guaranteed downloads speeds of 8Mbps or 12Mbps.
• Additional bandwidth will improve the performance of Virtual Private Networks making uploading and downloading of files more efficient, meaning working from home becomes a more viable option
• The use of multi-media and conferencing facilities will improve with higher download and upload speeds as will the use of live streaming services
• Your connectivity will be better equipped to cope with the forecasted exponential growth in high definition streaming
• Lower call costs by taking advantage of VoIP delivered over Fibre

Where are we up to in developing our new services?

We have partnered closely with BT in trialling fibre optic broadband services.

Our first trial began in July 2009 and ran until the end of January 2010. The trial allowed us to learn more about fibre technology, the installation process, how customers use it and the challenges supporting this new technology. We then extended the trial to our own employees and a limited number of customers that connect to the new cabinets in exchange enabled areas.

Our commercial trials are now underway ready for full launch in September. If you would like to learn more about our upcoming services please register your interest. If you would like to participate in the final stages of the commercial trial please email fibre@zen.co.uk

When will fibre optic broadband be available in your area?

Whilst we will be able to offer all customers these new services in September you will need to be connected to a fibre enabled exchange.

By the end of this summer BT are forecasting that around 1.5 million premises will be connected to fibre, growing to 4 million by the end of the year, including 30% of existing Zen customers. The roll-out is subject to change and availability is dependent on the enablement of the actual roadside cabinet you use to connect to your local exchange.

Please follow this link to see whether your exchange is already enabled or is planned to be enabled this year

What if BT has no confirmed dates for the fibre upgrade of your local BT exchange?

We will inform you once we have more information regarding BT's plans for the rollout of additional exchanges.

Fibre optic broadband - the technology behind it

BT is investing £2.5bn in the deployment of fibre optic broadband across the UK which aims to reach 4m premises by the end of 2010, growing to 40% of the population by 2012 and to two-thirds of the UK population by 2015. It would, however, be very costly to get everyone connected directly to fibre optic broadband. BT is therefore using Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) technology to deliver these new broadband services to most buildings and houses.

FTTC is when a fibre cable runs from a BT exchange to a street cabinet that contains the broadband equipment. From here it is linked to buildings and homes via just a few hundred metres of BT's existing copper network to complete the connection for the home or business to fibre optic broadband.

If your telephone line comes direct to your premises and is not fed via a street cabinet you will not be able to receive FTTC.

We are one of a select few ISPs that has been chosen by BT to run a number of Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) trials and will provide a further update on this project in the next issue of this newsletter.

The first phase of the FTTP trial will begin in July 2010 and will be in Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes and Higham Park, North London.

If you live in either of these areas and would like to register to take part in the FTTP trial, please email us at fibre@zen.co.uk with your name and address including postcode. We will then run a test to see if you are able to receive the service and participate in the trial.

Site Navigation