NTL investigates 18Mbps next-generation broadband technology

[Matt1eD]

NTL has been quietly testing next-generation broadband technology that will raise the maximum speed available in the UK to 18Mbps.

ADSL2+ trials were carried out last month and have now been extended to test the viability of on-demand HDTV (high-definition TV) streaming.

Although 18Mbps is the highest downstream speed attainable, in reality it will only be reached by premises within 1km of exchanges, although the technology will boost performance across the board.

BT has also been testing the technology, with a handful of its employees enjoying super-fast Internet links. It is also preparing to embark on a new set of trials on existing ADSL connections to determine the viability of speeds between 2Mbps and 8Mbps.

ADSL2+ technology has been around for some time,

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but its introduction in the UK was held up by a conflcit with the VDSL technology that enables ADSL signals to reach properties more than some 6km away from exchanges. While other countries simply scrapped VDSL in favour of ADSL2+, UK ISPs thought this too drastic a solution. However a workround has now been found and the UK Internet standards body - the Network Interoperability Consultative Committee - gave its approval to ADSL2+ in January.

ADSL2+ works by doubling the frequency used for downstream data traffic to 2.2MHz, increasing data rates on the shortest lines to as high, in theory, as 24Mbps. An optional mode also allows for upstream speeds to be increased. National network providers such as BT, Easynet and Thus have already begun upgrading their backbones to support the higher data throughput.

Faster wireless is also a step closer today, after the IEEE decided on a final specification for 802.11n, which will succeed the current 802.11b and g standards used at present.

802.11n will double maximum speeds to 100Mbps, though even higher rates of 315 or even 630Mbps may be possible. The standard is backward compatible, with b and g and certified-products expected to be commercially available in 2006 or 2007.

Simon Aughton

http://www.computerbuyer.co.uk/?news...y.php?id=70744

[Zak33]

Moby-Dick has been on a "trial" for a few weeks

He's been flying along

[Rabs]

Excellent, now we can have 18Mb with a 3GB cap - no thanks.

[daniel_owen_uk]

3GB would be harsh probably more like 200GB.

Does anyone else find it strange that they are trialling adsl2 when they have a predominantly cable network?

Wonder if moby cares to grace us with an adslguide speedtest

[iMc]

I think Moby is getting 2Mb down, 512 up so its not massive increases over whats available now.

802.11n looks interesting, up to 630Mbps and backwards compatable. Nice.

[Gordy]

Daniel , I think its because its cheaper to use the existing infrastructure that the laid down for telephone cables for their ntl areas that to lay more cables. It doesnt use bt lines from memory

[Kumagoro]

I still think the gov should sub NTL to extend their network. Then NTL should pay them back with the profits. or something like that. I think its stupid that they are not made to network even new property developments which are right next to the network anyway.

[javalord]

Daniel , I think its because its cheaper to use the existing infrastructure that the laid down for telephone cables for their ntl areas that to lay more cables. It doesnt use bt lines from memory

Pretty much. Its much cheaper than having to re-engineer their cable networks for a system upgrade.

[autopilot]

Ok, maybe this will explain things better... http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/22/ntl_adsl2/

[unrealrocks]

Cable isn't limited at 18MBps - it can go upto around 41MBps IIRC ... I think what they are really doing is they are beefing up the rest of they're infrastructure.

[javalord]

Cable isn't limited at 18MBps - it can go upto around 41MBps IIRC ... I think what they are really doing is they are beefing up the rest of they're infrastructure.

Yes , but 41Mbps (btw Capital B = Bytes, little b = bits, networks always little b) has to be shared between hundreds of users. With ADSL , there's a 1 on 1 link between customer premises and DSLAM.

Sharing takes place after that, and since NTL use some form of multiplexing via its fibre network, its much easier to deliver bandwidth to the DSLAM at the green boxes, rather than splitting and cleaning up a copper network.

From what I read, moving to Docsis v3 would bring in huge costs compared to moving to ADSL.