{"id":43870,"date":"2023-10-29T09:19:52","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T09:19:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lethal-industry.com\/?p=43870"},"modified":"2023-10-29T09:19:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T09:19:52","slug":"bts-buried-treasure-internet-giants-fading-underground-wire-network-worth-bi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lethal-industry.com\/business\/bts-buried-treasure-internet-giants-fading-underground-wire-network-worth-bi\/","title":{"rendered":"BT’s buried treasure: Internet giant’s fading underground wire network ‘worth bi"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

British Telecoms (BT) could be sitting on billions of pounds worth of copper stretching across a 75-mile expanse.<\/p>\n

The scrap value of BT’s installed copper network was once worth between \u00a32.5billion and \u00a35billion, according to a report in the Guardian.<\/p>\n

That was back in 2011 but today, when factoring in inflation, the assets would have a significantly higher value.<\/p>\n

Will Digby, connectivity product manager of RM Technology, told Express.co.uk: \u201cAs with any commodity, the price of the material is subject to market forces.<\/p>\n

\u201cComparing September 2011 to September 2023 there has been a 10 to 15 percent increase in market price therefore applying this increase to the figures previously outlined from BT could be an appropriate estimation.”<\/p>\n

Copper networks refer to the copper-based telephone wiring found in homes and through wireline phone lines. According to Actiontec, the networks are created with bulky copper wires that use electrons for data transmission.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Bargain hunter mum saves \u00a326,000 shopping second-hand<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But as the internet and technology rapidly evolve, copper networks are quickly being replaced by faster fibre optic technology, rendering the old and clunky billion-pound assets largely unfit for their initial purpose.<\/p>\n

Mr Digby said: “Copper wire has been the backbone of UK telecommunications for decades, but that is gradually coming to an end.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince the start of September 2023, buying or adding to existing analogue services is no longer possible, as the analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) – which relies on copper cable – will be permanently switched off.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone will have to transition their broadband and phone services to a fully digital network that routes calls over the internet. These systems are typically called voice over internet protocol, or VoIP.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong>
\u00a310,600 is not enough \u2013 what pensioners really need to retire in comfort[ANALYSIS] <\/strong>
Building Society launches ‘best buy’ ISA with \u2018extremely competitive interest[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Savings rates are coming down – what you can do to bolster your finances[EXPLAINED] <\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Digby added: \u201cThis switch off is long overdue. Despite its clear benefits, other countries such as Germany, Japan, and Sweden are way ahead of the UK in terms of the transition.\u201d<\/p>\n

So what exactly is BT going to do with its copper mine?<\/p>\n

BT is known to be progressing with switching over from analogue to digital landlines, in addition to their commitment to provide Full Fibre broadband to 25 million homes and businesses by December 2026. They have also introduced a new sustainability and recycling program to remove, reuse, and recycle the equipment.<\/p>\n