Evidence from other countries shows that self-install gives a huge boost to demand for broadband ADSL services

Bruce Stanford, BT broadband director

The engineer connects up customers' computers to a DSL modem, and modify's a customer phone so it can support high data rates.

But the DIY broadband service needs no engineer, removing the need to charge a �150 installation fee.

Consumers will have to buy their own DSL modem and currently many of these retail for �100. Prices are likely to drop if large numbers of people take up the DIY service.

Savings for customers

BT Wholesale has said that the cost of DIY broadband to net service providers will be lower than the existing tariff. Many ISPs are expected to pass this saving on to customers.

The minimum contract period for the new service is also shorter. Currently anyone signing up for DSL has to commit to a 12-month contract. With the DIY service, customers need only sign up for one month.

The delay between a consumer signing up for a fast net service and the day it is installed is also likely to shrink.

BT Wholesale claims it deals with all installation requests within two weeks of notification, but this is still too slow for many people. Anecdotal evidence suggests many people wait much longer. DIY broadband could cut this waiting time to a couple of days.

Consumers will be able to sign up for a fast service, buy a DSL modem and then wait until BT tells them their phone line is broadband ready.

"Evidence from other countries shows that self-install gives a huge boost to demand for broadband ADSL services," said Bruce Stanford, BT's director of broadband.