Who will pay for long distance broadband?

Communications provider Openreach has announced a new pilot of Broadband Enabling Technology, a fixed-line solution providing extended connectivity.

The firm claims the technology will allow it to deliver the service on lines up to 12km from the exchange.

Initial trials in Scotland, with lines of between 7km and 12km, have run stable 1Mbs services. Where a second copper line is available, lines can be bonded together to provide speeds of 2Mbs.

Responding to the news, Edd Dawson, editor at broadband.co.uk, said that it was a positive move by Openreach, but there were questions that needed to be answered.

"This may prove that it works for the retail market, but who's going to pick up the bill in the long run?" he asked.