Broadband News
Here we try to capture the latest and most relevant broadband related news.
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News - Virgin Media trial 50Mbps broadband via telephone poles
11 March 2010 - Scheme could help rural areas to benefit from next-generation internet
Virgin Media has announced a new 6 month trial to deliver 50Mbps broadband and TV services to rural homes in Berkshire over telegraph poles. [full article]
News - Google launch a 1Gbps fibre broadband 'experiment'
11 February 2010 - Google launch a 1Gbps fibre broadband 'experiment'
Google are moving in to the Fibre broadband market with an 'experiment' which will deliver 1Gbps fibre broadband at competitive prices to at least 50,000 and up to 500,000 people in the US. [full article]
News - BT Extends 24Mbps Broadband Coverage to Half of UK Homes
08 February 2010 - BT Extends 24Mbps Broadband Coverage to Half of UK Homes
BT Wholesale has confirmed that its "up to 24Mbps" 21st Century Network (21CN) product is now available from over 730 exchanges across the UK. [full article]
News - O2 UK Trials 150Mbps Next Gen LTE Mobile Broadband in Slough
14 December 2009 - O2 UK Trials 150Mbps Next Gen LTE Mobile Broadband in Slough
Mobile operator O2 UK has announced the first successful live trial of next generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) Mobile Broadband technology in the Slough area. [full article]
News - Ofcom Clears Way for 7Gbps Fixed Wireless Networks in the UK
11 December 2009 - Ofcom Clears Way for 7Gbps Fixed Wireless Networks in the UK
Regulator Ofcom has ruled to open spectrum in the 59 - 64GHz band for use by Fixed Wireless Systems (FWS) under a licence exempt authorisation approach. The move coincides with an announcement by the Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig), which has just developed the first specification for a new Wi-Fi (802.11) compatible wireless network that can support data transmission rates of up to 7Gbps via the 60GHz band. [full article]
News - Notice for AVG Anti-Virus users concerning failed upload tests on SpeedChecker.org
05 November 2009 - Notice for AVG Anti-Virus users concerning failed upload tests on SpeedChecker.org
A number of SpeedChecker.org visitors have found a recent update to their AVG Anti-Virus software is now preventing them from completing the upload test on SpeedChecker.org. [full article]
News - Interested in Your Neighbours Broadband Speed?
19 October 2009 - View broadband speeds in your area with StreetStats
Comparison site Top 10 Broadband has launched a speed test service that allows users to see the connection speed of their neighbours. [full article]
News - 48Mbps Bonded ADSL2+ Broadband
16 October 2009 - 48Mbps Bonded ADSL2+ Broadband
ISP Cerberus Networks has launched the UK's first bonded ADSL2+ service – delivering up to 48Mbps downstream and 5Mbps upstream with unlimited usage and low contention headlines. [full article]
News - True 100Mbps UK Fibre Optic Broadband to Overtake FTTC by 2015
15 October 2009 - True 100Mbps UK Fibre Optic Broadband to Overtake FTTC by 2015
Interestingly Broadband analyst firm Point Topic has predicted that true next generation fibre optic broadband services, which deliver the cable directly into homes ( Fibre-to-the-Home - FTTH ) for even faster speeds, will eventually become more dominant in the UK than the halfway house of Fibre-to-the-Cabinet ( FTTC ) technology currently in focus. [full article]
News - H2O Begins Sheffield 100Mbps Fibrezone Broadband Rollout
06 July 2009 - H2O Begins Sheffield 100Mbps Fibrezone Broadband Rollout
H2O Networks has begun on Yorkshire's first Fibrezone delivering next generation fibre optic broadband at speeds up to 100Mbps. [full article]
News - UK Digital Britain report released
17 June 2009 - UK Digital Britain report released
Given the wide coverage we've highlighted some of the salient points of the recent Digital Britain report: - [full article]
News - SpeedChecker.org release Speed Test Plus service
07 June 2009 - SpeedChecker.org release Speed Test Plus service
SpeedChecker.org are pleased to launch a new, and in a number of ways innovative, Speed Test Plus service . [full article]
News - BT offers free boost to customer broadband speeds
03 June 2009 - BT offers free boost to customer broadband speeds
BT have announced that following 21CN trials they are rolling out faster connection speeds to existing customers, to the tune of up to 20Mbps downstream and 1Mbps upstream. [full article]
News - SpeedChecker.org release internet provider performance statistics
10 May 2009 - New website features
We're pleased to announce that our Broadband Statistics section now details the actual performance delivered by many popular Internet Providers. [full article]
News - Virgin Media pilot 200Mbps broadband
06 May 2009 - Virgin Media pilot 200Mbps broadband over DOCSIS3 technology
Virgin Media have initiated trials of up to 200Mbps broadband via its latest DOCSIS3 technology. [full article]
News - Plusnet increases central capacity, again
02 May 2009 - Plusnet increases central capacity by a further 155Mbps
Plusnet have again activated a further additional 155Mbps segment of central ADSL bandwidth. [full article]
News - Sky reach 2 million broadband customers
01 May 2009 - Sky reach 2 million broadband customers
As of the 31st March 2009 BSkyB ( Sky Broadband ) has broken the 2 million broadband connection milestone. [full article]
News - UK ISP SAQ boast new 24Mbps and 96Mbps broadband service
30 April 2009 - UK ISP SAQ boast new 24Mbps and 96Mbps broadband service
UK ISP SAQ has launched a new range of broadband services, with an intreging bonded ADSL2+ package that can reach up to 96Mbps downstream and 4Mbps upstream. [full article]
News - First 50 Bournemouth Homes see 100Mbps Broadband Services
28 March 2009 - Fibrecity rolls out 100Mbps broadband via fibre optic network
The Fibrecity project has connected the first 50 homes in the UK south coast town of Bournemouth to its next generation "up to 100Mbps" fibre optic (FTTH) broadband network. [full article]
News - Virgin eyes 150Mb broadband speed
24 March 2009 - Virgin Media will offer 100 to 150Mbps broadband speeds up to two years before BT completes its rival fibre network.
An interesting BBC news article reports "Virgin Media will offer 100 to 150Mbps broadband speeds up to two years before BT completes its rival fibre network." [full article]
News - SpeedChecker.org release more accurate speed tester
08 March 2009 - SpeedChecker.org release more accurate speed tester
We've not just given SpeedChecker.org a facelift, but released a new and improved connection speed tester. [full article]
News - OFCOM Speak - Delivering superfast broadband in the UK
04 March 2009 - OFCOM Speak - Delivering superfast broadband in the UK
OFCOM have released a statement on "Delivering super-fast broadband in the UK" which focuses on the regulatory regime that will apply to BT as they "currently hold a position of significant market power in relation to the relevant markets at present". [full article]
News - Virgin Media leaving 2Mbps broadband behind
25 February 2009 - Virgin Media leaving 2Mbps broadband behind
Virgin Media have announced the intended withdrawl of their entry level 2Mbps product to be replaced by their 10Mbps offering. [full article]
News - Over 95% of UK Internet Connections are Broadband
23 February 2009 - Over 95% of UK Internet Connections are Broadband
The Office of National Statistics has released its final Internet Connectivity Index showing that more than 19 out of 20 UK internet connections in December 2008 were by broadband. [full article]
News - Plusnet increases central capacity, again
20 February 2009 - Plusnet increases central capacity by a further 155Mbps
Plusnet have activated a further additional 155Mbps segment of central ADSL bandwidth, boasting this being in line with current budget and projected growth in customer numbers. [full article]
News - Vodafone in 20Mbps mobile broadband trial
17 February 2009 - Vodafone in 20Mbps mobile broadband trial
Thinkbroadband reports "Vodafone appears to have been busy carrying out further field trials of HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access Plus) in Madrid and Southern Spain. [full article]
News - £1 for 30 minutes of 100Mbps
11 February 2009 - £1 for 30 minutes of 100Mbps
Thinkbroadband reports "The launch was at the end of January 2009, but we did not write it up then as we were waiting on feedback from the company as to what the upstream speeds were. Fortunately Rory Cellan-Jones of the BBC has paid a visit to the development and reported a speedtest of 75Mbps down and 50Mbps up while using the boost button available to residents. The boost button allows people to decide as and when they need the full 100Mbps that the fibre to each home can provide, otherwise you are limited to a speed defined by the price you pay, i.e. £15 gets you a 8Mbps limit, £19 a 16Mbps limit and £29 tops out at 32Mbps. [full article]
News - Interim Digital Britain Report Release
29 January 2009 - Interim Digital Britain Report Release
Digital Britain report promises up to 2Mb broadband for all by 2012 and hints at indefinite licences to bring in the mobile operators. [full article]
News - Sky reach 1.955 million broadband customers
28 January 2009 - Sky reach 1.955 million broadband customers
Sky unveiled quarterly figures which suggests it's the country's fastest growing broadband provider holding a total of 1.955 million broadband subscribers. [full article]
News - Plusnet increases central capacity
23 January 2009 - Plusnet increases central capacity by 155Mbps
Plusnet have just activated an additional 155Mbps segment of central ADSL bandwidth, boasting this being in line with current budget and projected growth in customer numbers. [full article]
News - Ireland Broadband Coverage Set to Reach 100%
22 January 2009 - Ireland Broadband Coverage Set to Reach 100%
Thanks to a €223m government broadband scheme Ireland will see 100% broadband coverage via Three by July 2010. [full article]
News - 3.04Mbps Latest Average UK Broadband Speed
21 January 2009 - 3.04Mbps Latest Average UK Broadband Speed
The speed obsessed will be interested to know that the quarterly moneysupermarket.com broadband speed test reveals Britain's average broadband speed is just 3.04 Mbps [full article]
News - Fibrecity 100Mbps in Bournemouth - Dundee next
19 January 2009 - Fibrecity 100Mbps in Bournemouth - Dundee next
Fibrecity, part of fibre-through-sewers company H2O Networks has announced the first thirty homes will be connected to its 100Mbps fibre network in Bournemouth by the end of March. This is one of a few true "fibre-to-the-home" (FTTH) services that will see the fibre optic cable being built all the way to the building providing a future-proof infrastructure. [full article]
News - New speed test variant for faster connections
14 November 2008 - 10MB speed test option provided
With 24Mb connections becoming more popular and the recent Virgin 50meg offering, SpeedChecker.org has 'manned up' to provide a more extensive speed test. [full article]
News - Easynet Launches 40Mbps Ethernet over Copper Service
12 November 2008 - Easynet launch 40Mbps Ethernet over Copper
ISPreview reports "Easynet's Global Services division has launched a new derivative of its EtherStream service, which delivers Ethernet style broadband over existing copper wire based telecommunications infrastructure. [full article]
News - TalkTalk Raises Broadband Upload Speeds to 1Mbps
12 November 2008 - TalkTalk boost upload speeds & introduce myTalkTalk
ISPreview reports "Customers on TalkTalk's (The Carphone Warehouse) 'up to' 8Mbps broadband ADSL service have informed us of an increase in their upstream (upload) speeds from 448Kbps to 1024Kbps (1Mbps). [full article]
News - SpeedChecker.org makes Web User Magazine
06 November 2008 - SpeedChecker.org makes Web User magazines "Best New Websites"
We are pleased to announce that SpeedChecker.org has been reviewed in the 200th issue of Web User magazine, which went on sale today, 6 November 2008. [full article]
News - Broadband users reach their limit
23 October 2008 - One million UK consumers have exceeded or come close to exceeding their broadband usage limit
BBC reports "One million UK consumers have exceeded or come close to exceeding their broadband usage limit, research from consumer group uSwitch has found." [full article]
News - SpeedChecker.org Responds to Virgins Media Statement
18 October 2008 - SpeedChecker.org Responds to Virgins Media Statement
Given a recent news article has pointed a finger at the accuracy of online speed tester sites, we thought it prudent to respond. [full article]
New Feature - Further Tailor your Performance Graph
18 October 2008 - Configurable performance graph speed rate
By request, you can now alter the speed rate shown on performance graphs to e.g. bps, kbps, mbps etc.
News - Broadband speed tests questioned
15 October 2008 - Broadband speed tests questioned
Virgin Media has criticised some broadband speed tests, saying they rely on "dirty data". [full article]
News - H2O Begins Bournemouths 100Mbps Fibrecity Broadband Rollout
15 October 2008 - H2O Begins Bournemouths 100Mbps Fibrecity Broadband Rollout
H2O Networks today announced that work has finally begun on the rollout of its next generation fibre optic (Fibrecity) network in the BH10 and BH11 (Bournemouth) postcode areas. The network will be capable of delivering broadband speeds at up to 100Mbps. [full article]
News - Openreach to run fibre to the cabinet pilots in 2009
13 October 2008 - Openreach to run fibre to the cabinet pilots in 2009
Openreach has published some details of the Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) trials that it will be running in 2009. The trials will cover 30,000 premises and allow people to have an up to 40Mbps broadband connection. [full article]
New Feature - Hourly Performance Statistics
11 October 2008 - Hourly performance graph now available
By request, we now provide a graph of your aggregated speed tests on an hourly basis. [full article]
News - Have your broadband connection analysed by an expert
05 October 2008 - Have your broadband connection analysed by an expert
Upon completion of a Connection Analysis you can now request your performance report to be personally reviewed & commented on by one of our experts.
New Feature - Broadband Statistics Released
03 October 2008 - Broadband statistics released
By request, we have released broadband statitics depicting average peak and off peak performance from all speed tests performed on SpeedChecker.org [full article]
News - SpeedChecker.org Website Launched
29 September 2008 - Website launched with a goal to help you boost your broadband!
Today sees the launch of a new Speed Testing resource that will not only help you establish if your internet provider is giving your poor service, but will help you boost your broadband performance. [full article]