18 March 2005
Testing has begun on broadband technology capable of delivering up to 18Mbps connection speeds over existing copper lines.
The device ADSL2+, or G.992.5, has been around for two years, but the system is only just coming into use across Europe and the UK.
While it can supply much higher speeds than standard DSL, those speeds fall sharply in proportion with the distance to the exchange.
At distances of more than 2.5km speeds drop below levels achievable with conventional DSL.
"We have been getting speeds in excess of 18Mbps," Malcom Padley from NTL told vnunet.com.
However he stressed that the system was so far only in the testing stages.
"It is not a commercial product as yet but it has been a useful trial. What the final commercial service will run at is not clear at the moment," he said.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
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