BT upgrades broadband speeds for all

20Mb/s at no extra cost to subscribers

BT upgrades broadband speeds for all
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17 August 2009 15:44 GMT / By Duncan Geere

BT has pushed the big red "upgrade" button on all its subscribers accounts, pumping up pipes to 20Mb/s in "enabled areas". Those areas cover, according to the company, 40% of the UK's homes and businesses.

Up till now, customers were stuck on 8Mb/s speeds, slower than many of BT's competitors. The company is now matching most of its competition, though Virgin Media offers a 50 Mb/s option. Upload speeds are increasing too, going from 448Kb/s to 1Mb/s. That'll help people with tasks like putting video on YouTube, online gaming and sending large emails.

Lastly, BT's also releasing a little gadget that reduces the impact of electrical interference on broadband lines. The company says that the BT Broadband Accelerator could improve line speeds by as much as 1.5Mb/s, because one of the main causes of slow net connections is home wiring.

Speed upgrades for customers will be available on the BT site shortly and you won't pay any extra for it, though sneakily you'll need to sign a new contract to get access. The Broadband Accelerator is free to anyone who wants it, though you'll need to pay postage.

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Comments

  • As all ISP’s have a limited fair usage policy, even those ISPs who claim to give unlimited download still state a fair usage policy is in place. Hence by increasing the download speed the faster you reach your limit, before you either have restrictions placed on you and at worse loose your contract.

    Until such time as this problem is addressed, the push to watch TV via Broadband will only hasten the problems occurrence.


    Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk     Posted by Carl Barron, UK
  • Netheads good luck!

    Everyone wants something for nothing. Get a clue....someone always pays. Your free (or subsidized) ride WILL be paid for and don't be deluded into thinking it won't be you!

    Pay for it now and reduce the overheads of regulators & accountants needed to figure out some backhanded way to get you to pay (cheapskates).     Posted by John Ridder, USA

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