11 January 2008
BT's new next-generation broadband network trial will offer local customers connection speeds of 100Mbits per second (Mbps), the provider said yesterday.
The super-fast network, currently under construction at Ebbsfleet in Kent, could eventually be rolled out nationwide.
BT is using fibre optic cables for the network - which provides much higher connection speeds than ADSL copper wire phone lines, currently used by most UK broadband users.
By way of comparison, most UK home broadband providers offer 'up to' 8Mbps services - and the highest speed commercially available comes in at just 24Mbps.
The Ebbsfleet trial, developed by the telecom's Openreach arm, is scheduled to begin in August when construction is complete.
"This is our first deployment of fibre rather than copper to residential customers on a new-build site," Openreach head Steve Robertson said.
"It will enable communication providers to gauge what demand exists for very high-speed broadband, and to assess what commercial models may be appropriate in the future."
According to figures from Ofcom, the average broadband connection speed in the UK currently stands at 4.6Mbps.
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