Cable TV
BT beefs up broadband accross the UK
MUMBAI: British Telecom (BT) confirmed the launch of new higher speed wholesale broadband services across the UK, which will maximise the stable line rates available on individual lines up to 8Mbit/s.
Following successful trials, BT confirmed that the BT ADSL Max and BT ADSL Max Premium broadband services will be launched on a national basis from 31 March this year. More than 5300 exchanges are being upgraded to support higher speed broadband, with these exchanges serving more than 99.6 per cent of UK homes and businesses.
This development will allow people to obtain line rates of up to 8Mbit/s, enabling them to get more out of their broadband connection. The ADSL broadband speed that can be supported on an individual line is governed by a wide range of physical factors.
BT estimates that 78 per cent of BT phone lines should support broadband at line rates of 4Mbit/s and above, with 6Mbit/s and above available to more than 42 per cent. For those living or working close to their local telephone exchange, line rates of up to the maximum 8Mbit/s should be achievable.
In upgrading more than 5300 exchanges across the UK to support higher speed broadband services, BT is creating the largest geographic footprint possible for higher speed broadband.
This furthers BT’s commitment to making broadband available to everybody, in towns, cities and rural areas. UK service providers will have the option to provide higher speed broadband services to their customers almost wherever they happen to live or work.
BT Wholesale chief executive Paul Reynolds said, “Thanks to BT’s continued investment in the broadband network, the UK now boasts the highest level of broadband availability in the G8. We’re now building on those efforts in becoming the first operator in the UK to commit to a national service which is capable of broadband speeds of up to 8Mbit/s.”
“Our approach in getting the most out of ADSL technology means we get higher speeds to a national footprint as quickly as possible – making sure the opportunities are not just restricted to the urban centres, nor those service providers who operate their own networks. It also provides service providers with the biggest potential market for applications and services demanding higher speeds,” he added.
In addition to faster speeds, BT has deployed new technology to better manage the line stability and customer experience. Higher speed and more reliable broadband services will help ensure that people can run more bandwidth hungry applications, including video, gaming and music downloads at the same time, as well as email and surfing the web. By enhancing broadband throughput, BT ADSL Max will also provide users with greater quality of service for streamed content delivered over broadband, such as video downloads.
The ADSL broadband speed that can be supported on an individual line is dependent on a range of factors, including the length and gauge of the line from the exchange, the number and quality of joints, electromagnetic noise from other lines in a cable or wiring within a customer’s premises, and the modems used.
While the faster broadband speeds will be available to service providers for new orders from 31 March, it will take several months to regrade the total existing end user customer base that service providers wish to be regraded to ADSL Max services. Plans relating to bulk regrades to Max services are being discussed with service providers on an ongoing basis.
BT’s line checker at www.bt.com/broadband is being updated to show the expected speeds available for individual lines. This will be available for all exchanges upgraded for the ADSL Max products from 31 March, with those exchanges involved in the trials already showing the expected speeds possible.
Cable TV
Hathway Cable appoints Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as CEO
Leadership change comes as cable TV faces shrinking subscriber base and modest earnings pressure
MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom has tapped industry veteran Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as chief executive officer, marking a leadership pivot at a time when India’s cable television business is under mounting strain.
Kapoor will take over from Tavinderjit Singh Panesar, who is set to retire in August after a long innings with the company. Panesar, chief executive since 2023, has held multiple leadership roles at Hathway, including his latest stint beginning in 2022.
Kapoor brings more than three decades of experience in media and entertainment. He most recently led distribution at The Walt Disney Company’s Star India business, now part of JioStar. His career spans television distribution and affiliate partnerships, with stints at Sony Pictures Networks India, Discovery Communications and Zee Entertainment.
Panesar, with over three decades in the industry, has worked across strategic planning, distribution and business development in media, broadcasting and manufacturing. His past associations include ESPN Star Sports, Star India, Apollo Tyres and JK Industries.
The transition lands as the cable sector grapples with structural disruption. Traditional operators are losing ground to streaming platforms, while telecom and broadband players tighten the squeeze with bundled offerings.
An EY report estimates India’s pay-TV base could shrink by a further 30 to 40 million households by 2030, taking the total down to 71 to 81 million. The slide follows a loss of nearly 40 million homes between 2018 and 2024, a contraction that has already wiped out more than 37,000 jobs in the local cable operator ecosystem.
Hathway’s numbers reflect the strain. The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 93 crore for FY25, down from Rs 99 crore a year earlier. Revenue inched up to Rs 2,040 crore from Rs 1,981 crore. As of December 2025, it had about 4.7 million cable TV subscribers and roughly 1.02 million broadband users.
Kapoor steps in with a familiar brief but a shrinking playbook. In a market where viewers are cutting cords faster than companies can reinvent them, the new chief executive inherits a business fighting to stay plugged in.
