Broadband users wishing to sign up to use the high-speed fibre-optic network planned by BT could be asked to fork out a little extra, according to new reports.

Last month BT outlined plans for a £1.5 billion next generation network which it is hoped will reach ten million homes by 2010.

When quizzed about the pricing scheme which will be attached to contracts for the faster broadband, BT admitted to ISPreview that customers could be asked to pay more.

The broadband provider commented: "FTTC [Fibre To The Premises] is being positioned as a premium product and it is expected to be purchased by consumers who are willing to pay a little more for the increased speed available.

"This is in line with the pricing principles outlined for FTPP in New sites."

FTTP is expected to offer speeds of up to 100Mb and Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC), also planned for use in the new network, could reach speeds of 60Mb.