NTL pushes on ADSL2+
March 17, 2005
NTL is now extending trials of ADSL2+ to on-demand streaming of high-definition TV (HDTV).
ADSL2+ offers superior connectivity to the internet, with speeds of 18 megabits per second being tested. Currently, the highest broadband speeds in the UK are up to 8 megabits per second, although most homes are only connected to broadband via 1 megabit connections.
New developments in ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) technology are required for the next stage in digital broadcasting over the internet.
Although BT is also about to trial ADSL2+ technology, NTL has an advantage in that 95% of it’s nearly 8 million subscribers are within 1 km of an access point.
This is important because the longer the signal has to travel, the more the signal deteriorates. BT can only compare with 5% of its users within a similar distance.
British Telecom is under pressure from other telecom operators in the UK, such as Wannadoo and UK Online, who are pushing for super-fast broadband speeds to match countries such as France.
Link: NTL pushes on ADSL2+