Telewest Considers 5/6Mbps Future
Posted: 20th May, 2004 By: MarkJ
Having recently hit the 500,000 broadband subscribers mark, cable operator Telewest has now begun speaking about the feasibility of faster 5 or 6Mbps services:
"A 28Mbps link to the home would be feasible, but you're talking theoretically. Five or 6Mbps is within our range," said Raube. "When there's desire for faster speeds we'll offer it."
The fastest service available from Telewest is the 3Mbps service, which launched last month. Some rival providers have claimed that there is little real need for such a fast service, but the cable company believes that paid-for Web content will drive the need for faster services.
The subtext to Telewest's comments on speed is that the ADSL products sold by BT only work over a certain distance. The faster the ADSL link, the shorter the distance over which it will function. Telewest thinks this gives it a clear, long-term advantage, as under present conditions only a small proportion of existing ADSL customers live close enough their local exchange to actually get a 2Mbps connection.
ZDNet highlights a quote from BT, stating that once a demand for faster speed services can be established, then they'll deliver it.
We also note that forthcoming ADSL2/2+ technologies are designed to offer much faster speeds over similar distances to existing ADSL services. Either way, sooner or later, a faster future will come.
"A 28Mbps link to the home would be feasible, but you're talking theoretically. Five or 6Mbps is within our range," said Raube. "When there's desire for faster speeds we'll offer it."
The fastest service available from Telewest is the 3Mbps service, which launched last month. Some rival providers have claimed that there is little real need for such a fast service, but the cable company believes that paid-for Web content will drive the need for faster services.
The subtext to Telewest's comments on speed is that the ADSL products sold by BT only work over a certain distance. The faster the ADSL link, the shorter the distance over which it will function. Telewest thinks this gives it a clear, long-term advantage, as under present conditions only a small proportion of existing ADSL customers live close enough their local exchange to actually get a 2Mbps connection.
ZDNet highlights a quote from BT, stating that once a demand for faster speed services can be established, then they'll deliver it.
We also note that forthcoming ADSL2/2+ technologies are designed to offer much faster speeds over similar distances to existing ADSL services. Either way, sooner or later, a faster future will come.
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