- Sri Lanka’s Ultrafast Next Generation Broadband Access using Fiber-to-the-Home technology.

- First 100 Mbps FTTH Broadband network in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the national ICT solutions provider announced that it has launched the country’s first fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband services covering major markets, greatly enhancing the broadband footprint in Sri Lanka. Being the largest communication backbone network operator, SLT ensures that residential, business, public sector, carriers and ISPs (internet service providers) in the country including multi-storeyed buildings have access to 100 Mbps download speeds as the company announced its "Ultrafast Broadband" service through FTTH technology.

SLT’s FTTH based broadband speed and HDTV channels on Peo TV were demonstrated to Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Chairman of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and Mr. Anusha Palpita Director General of TRCSL in the presence of Mr. Lalith De Silva, Group CEO, SLT and many other top officials. This initial demonstration prior to the commercial launch was held at the TRCSL in Narahenpita with a recorded data speed almost 100 Mbps.

Among the SLT Broadband packages, Web Master, Web Champ & Web Life are offered with 100 Mbps download speed and Web Family, Web Surfer & Web Pro are offered with 50 Mbps download speed through the FTTH connection. Also existing Peo TV packages with HD channels will be available as an option.

Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Chairman of TRCSL said, “As I believe, ICT is the key to bring about a better future, and create empowered Sri Lankan citizens who are able to conquer the world for Sri Lanka. SLT being the premier telecommunication service provider with over 150 years of service, obviously this kind of technology enhancements will improve the quality of life of all citizens of the country. Finally, His Excellency the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa wants to see the highest living standards met for all the people. Undoubtedly telecommunications is one of the key areas in our lives not only for entertainment and social interaction, but it is the key tool for education purposes as well. I believe all these developments in the ICT industry will ultimately support Sri Lanka to become a knowledge hub. We congratulate and extend our best wishes to Sri Lanka Telecom on this Ultra-Fast Broadband development in Sri Lanka.”

Mr. Lalith De Silva, Group CEO of SLT handing over the first SLT FTTH 100 Mbps CPE to Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Chairman of TRCSL, in the presence of Mr. Anusha Palpita, Director General of TRCSL and several SLT Senior Officials at the ceremony held at TRCSL recently.

Mr. Anusha Palpita, Director General of TRCSL said, “The communication backbone network in the country is a critical national asset and we expect to better utilise NBN to bring better results. Today, we see the demand for data increasing exponentially around the globe. Evermore, the telecommunications industry in Sri Lanka is probably one which has experienced one of the fastest transformations within the global economy. SLT’s active participation in industry level developments is very much needed at this stage of the country’s growth. I believe, SLT’s FTTH deployment is one of the most significant enhancements as well as a major milestone in the telecommunications sector in Sri Lanka. I wish to congratulate SLT for their efforts in deploying state-of-the-art ICT platforms for the benefit of the entire industry as a whole.”

Mr. Lalith De Silva, Group Chief Executive Officer of SLT said, “I believe this is a historical moment in the country’s telecommunication industry where Sri Lanka Telecom, that has served this country for over 150 years, has today introduced world class FTTH technology in response to increasing customer requirements that come along with the country’s economic and social development. SLT’s ultrafast fibre-based broadband proposition plans are in the pipeline to provide services with the unmatched scope of consistent uninterrupted download speeds and upload speeds and high definition television to Sri Lankans. SLT continues to roll out VDSL2, ADSL2+, fixed 4G/LTE and FTTH services to enhance customers' experience while ensuring that investments are future focussed. ”

Adding further Mr. De Silva said, “SLT’s leadership role in the ICT sphere is well recognised and continues to provide the best services to enterprises, government institutions, SMEs and all other consumers and most importantly to other telecom service providers. At present, nearly half a million households are connected to SLT Broadband services and we are seeking to connect them in the future through the world's most reliable connectivity option, fibre-to-the-home (FTTH)/ fibre-to-the-building (FTTB) to upgrade and enhance user experience and also to empower them with endless possibilities and unlimited opportunities. It will also accelerate the move towards an inclusive digital economy and a SMART Sri Lanka, fully supportive of the GoSL’s vision of expanding the broadband footprint of the country with the ultimate aim of improving living standards of Sri Lankans.

Through an FTTH connection, users will be able to get access to multiple-services such as high definition channels on Peo TV, high speed internet access, DATA services, video on demand, Wi-Fi, VoIP, live feeds, online education, online gaming, teleworking, video conferencing, e-services etc. with immense freedom and without any bandwidth limitations. Ultra-fast FTTH broadband access also enables substantial productivity gains for the small & medium enterprises and micro-level businesses across the country, giving them access to cloud computing, e-application benefits etc. and they can easily be served from a typical FTTH network with the highest reliability ensuring huge advantages. The Company believes there will be a definite exponential demand within the next few years. 

Fibre access networks have ultra high speed and lower latency, which means that there is no noticeable delay in exchanging information. Fibre networks are robust and immune to electrical interference. In comparison to wireless, users do not share limited frequencies with other users, and there is no electronic interference. Thus end users get the same speed regardless of the number of users or distance from the cabinet.

One of the key strategic objectives of the SLT Group is to drive broadband-based consumer and enterprise services by expanding the broadband footprint via Next Generation Network and National Backbone Network and Next generation access of ADSL2+,VDSL2, optical fibre, carrier-grade Wi-Fi and both fixed and mobile 4G LTE technologies. SLT has already taken proactive steps to invest in futuristic global connectivity via new SEA-ME-WE 5 cable system, upgrade the SEA-ME-WE 4 cable system and expand the network to bring a gigantic capacity to Sri Lanka looking at future focussed data demands.