The telecommunications watchdog is set to give the go-ahead to BT's £1.5 billion fibre-optic project this week.
BT will be able to begin work on its £1.5 billion fibre-based broadband roll-out this week.
The communications watchdog Ofcom is widely believed to be about to provide the green light for the company on Tuesday (March 3rd). The announcement will come following a series of negotiations, with BT determined that it should be able to make money from its investment.
BT has said that ten million homes will have access to super-fast broadband when the project is completed by 2012. It will use fibre technology, a more efficient and faster method of signal delivery than existing copper wire networks.
There had been concerns over the future of the project, with Ofcom keen for other internet providers to be able to use the new network but BT stressing its need to make a profit. However, with no public money forthcoming on investment, the regulator's proposals on the network are set to ensure BT sees something back for its investment.
The telecoms giant will sell bandwidth to other providers through its wholesale business BT Openreach. Openreach was created following pressure from Ofcom to open up the broadband market.
The provision of high-speed broadband in the UK has been a major talking point in recent weeks, following the release of the communication minister's Digital Britain report. Lord Carter has received both criticism and praise for the measures he outlined in the study.
