BT is planning to launch a commercial eight megabits-per-second broadband service nationwide this November, later than at least one Internet service provider had expected.
The telco began trialling a wholesale 8Mbps ADSL service in parts of London and Strathclyde in April, and on Monday a BT spokeswoman confirmed that this trial is being expanded to cover more local exchanges in these areas.
She also confirmed reports that these technical trials will run until the end of August. BT hadn't set an earlier end-date for the trials.
This has still led to speculation that 8Mbps broadband won't be available from BT until December, but BT denies that its earlier target of autumn has slipped.
"We're still on track for a November launch," said the BT spokeswoman.
A representative of one ISP taking part in the trials told ZDNet UK that it had previously been expecting the 8Mbps service to launch in September or October, but added that BT was 'sensible' to expand the trial.
Another ISP said it was still hoping that the 8Mbps services would launch before November.
An 8Mbps broadband service would be four times faster than BT's existing fastest broadband service, and could be useful for power users and small businesses who want to run applications like streamed video or download very large files. While the downstream link will have a theoretical maximum of 8Mbps, the uplink will be over 800 kilobits-per-second for businesses or around 450Kbps for consumers -- enough to support multi-way video-conferencing.
Rivals such as EasyNet and Bulldog have both already launched 8Mbps services in some metropolitan areas. While BT is playing catch-up in the speed race, its products will be available across a much wider area.
However, it is likely that many millions of people who live several kilometres from their local exchange won't be able to get such high speeds, given ADSL's physical limitations.
Talkback
That news is fabuloso, I can't believe were [UK] at 8Mbps already, I remember when the Broadband push started. I think next year or the end of this one is really quick, if it's from BT then its set in stone.
I hope it won't cost too much and the teething problems should be sorted out, oh and I want access to it here in Scotland - any chance of some TV streaming?
Superfast only in Britain, I was offered 24Mbps ADSL2+ last week for about 20 quid a month here in Sweden
Rember those coverage maps of the UK that mobile phone companies used to do ?
Well ask BT to do one for 0.5, 1, 2 and 8 Mbps ADSL and be amazed at how few of us can even get 1 Mbps let alone 8.
BT would do better to improve coverage for us all rather than for those living next door to the exchanges.
I can't believe you just said fabuloso...;)
This will be great as long as we don’t get stupid 15gb or 30gb monthly download limits that we currently get with BT