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Google considers bringing ultra-fast fibre optic network to Britain

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By John Glenday, Reporter

July 18, 2014 | 1 min read

Google is said to be investigating ways of bringing its ultra-fast fibre optic network to British cities in the first international expansion of the US only Google Fibre system.

The move, reportedly to be undertaken in collaboration with British based CityFibre, would provide stiff competition for BT and its own ageing network, although the tie-up may flounder on concerns that the tie-up would endanger an existing partnership with BSkyB and TalkTalk.

It is believed CityFibre balked at the prospect of BSkyB getting cold feet over fears that the internet giant could compete in the future pay-TV market.

One source told The Telegraph: “Google historically have always publicly said they would never build fibre outside the US. But in the background they are talking to people here in the UK and looking at projects.”

Google Fibre currently operates in four US cities with plans to extend to 34 more. Unlike BT’s network at home, which relies on outdated copper wires to transmit data from the street to the home, this system is exclusively comprised of fibre optics.

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