BT plans DIY broadband

BT will start public trials of self-install broadband on 3 December, with plans to go live in January.

Self-install DSL will wholesale for £25 per month, compared to the £30 BT wholesale currently charges its customers.

Whether ISPs will pass this saving on to customers remains to be seen. BTopenworld failed to pass on the recent £5 cut in DSL monthly subscriptions and continues to charge £39.99.

DSL installation currently requires a visit from an engineer to replace the face plate on a customer's telephone socket.

From 3 December, BT will start market trials of an alternative system. Customers will receive a device in the post which they can plug into their telephone socket, and then plug the DSL modem and phone lines into the device.

Self install will also be cheaper, costing just £50 to pay for the cost of changes at the local exchange. However, customers will still incur the cost of buying their own modem.

DSL installation normally costs £150, with BT running a short-term special offer of half-price installation.