The Lancashire-based cable television (tv), phone and internet operator that predominantly covers specific areas of Northern England and Scotland (UK), SmallWorld, has quietly ramped up its EuroDOCSIS 3.0 based platform to offer broadband download speeds of 50Mbps.

We spotted the change while updating our ISP listings for a forthcoming upgrade. Smallworld had previously only offered speeds of up around 20-25Mbps. The new fibre optic service is currently available in Irvine, Kilmarnock, Troon and Dreghorn. However it will also be available in Lancaster and Morecambe from 1st July 2010, with Carlisle set to follow in the autumn.

The service can be purchased as a standalone product for £39 per month with free installation and unlimited downloads. However it can also be combined into a triple-play bundled alongside TV and a free weekend calls phone plan from just £35 per month (plus £11.50 a month line rental). 18 month contract applies.

The Smallworld DOCSIS cable platform is very similar to that used by Virgin Media UK and could, in theory at least, offer even faster broadband speeds for the future.