BT trials 'next generation' broadband

BT is already evaluating super-high-speed broadband technologies at its Ipswich research labs in a bid to kick-start the next generation of high-bandwidth data communications.

Despite the fact BT's slow roll-out of first-generation broadband technologies has been widely panned, it's already looking at the next stage.

silicon.com has discovered the telco is evaluating a system called VDSL, or Very high-speed Digital Subscriber Line, a cousin of the DSL technology used by most broadband subscribers in the UK today.

It has been around since the late eighties and in its fastest configuration can deliver downstream speeds of 52Mbps - nearly a thousand times faster than a conventional modem, over existing copper telephone wires.

A spokesman said BT will announce a strategy for the future of broadband "shortly".

He said: "When we announce our strategy it will by definition include VDSL and other similar next generation DSL technologies."

A source suggested BT Wholesale is likely to start full-scale trials of VDSL next year, with a view to a commercial launch in 2006.

BT is currently evaluating several VDSL solutions at its Adastral Park labs, the source suggested.

At the moment VDSL is extremely expensive, and likely to be restricted to business customers only. Currently it is only deployed in a few locations across the world, including Australia, where the cost per subscriber is in excess of Aus$5000 (£1,850), more than three times standard ADSL, according to an analyst familiar with the project.

However, if the technology becomes more widely adopted costs will come down and the technology could become viable in other applications.

BT is known to have ambitions to expand its broadcasting business, and it may view VDSL as a way to do this.

Earlier this month, a press release from BT's legendary Adastral Park research facility in Martlesham Heath near Ipswich, detailed trials that the company has been undertaking with a US company, Myrio.

Myrio makes software for IP-based television systems, and BTexact demonstrated a solution delivering IP video over three different VDSL platforms to three different set-top boxes.