Tiscali UK is also forging ahead with investment in Local Loop Unbundling. This will enable it to continue offering customers faster and more reliable broadband capable of delivering next generation services such as Video on Demand, IPTV and VoIP, as well as providing further scope for the wholesale LLU services it provides to the UK ISP market. The company plans to unbundle 600 BT exchanges by the end of FY06.
Broadband has become the dominant internet access method in Britain. Ofcom statistics reveal that almost two-thirds of the UK’s 15.5 million internet connections are over broadband. In the year ending December 2005 Tiscali UK’s broadband subscribers grew 141% at a time when the total broadband market grew 52%.
Mary Turner, CEO Tiscali UK, says: “Broadband has become the internet access method of choice across the United Kingdom and Tiscali’s simple value packages and straightforward approach to marketing have proved a winner,”
“In addition to our investment in LLU, we are committed to ongoing development of our network to protect our customers and provide innovative and exciting new value added services that allow them to get more from broadband while enjoying a safe and secure online experience.”
Across Europe, as of 31 March 2006, the Tiscali Group had 4.5 million active users including over 1.9 million ADSL customers of which 435,000 receive unbundled services.