BT breaks record for fastest ever broadband
Alcatel-Lucent and BT have achieved the fastest ever broadband speeds in real world conditions. The speeds of 1.4 terabits (Tbps) per second were recorded in a field test conducted on a 255 mile fibre cable between the BT tower and Ipswich.
The trial recorded spectral efficiency of 5.7 bits per second per Hertz. This is equivalent to transmitting 44 uncompressed HD films a second.
By raising the density of channels on the fibre cable, the new method was able to achieve a 42 per cent larger data transmission. The average residential UK broadband speed reached 14.7 mega bits per second (Mbps) in May 2013.
UK broadband speed has rose by 22 per cent in the six months to May 2013, and 64 per cent in the year since May 2012.
Neil J. McRae, chief network architect at BT said:
This outstanding achievement demonstrates that BT can easily introduce new features and technologies across our core network maximising the efficiency of our existing infrastructure. Working with Alcatel-Lucent on this trial has been highly productive in demonstrating the viability of an alien wavelength approach.
The faster connection will allow internet service providers to send larger amounts of information through existing infrastructure without the need for expensive upgrades.