Posted: 20th May, 2011 By: MarkJ


The original founders of popular ISP Be Broadband UK,
Boris Ivanovic and
Dana Pressman Tobak, have launched a new urban-focused residential and business provider of symmetrical
1Gbps (Gigabits per second) capable fibre optic ( FTTH ) broadband internet access products and even an online television ( IPTV ) service -
Hyperoptic.
Hyperoptic aims to initially roll-out its service to larger residential buildings and offices across the UK, starting in London and focusing upon areas of the highest density (i.e. number of potential customers). This is very much a city-only provider.
Hyperoptic's President, Boris Ivanovic, said:
"Pushing the boundaries of online connection speed is a passion of mine. Consumers, especially in the UK, simply accept that their online connection is not as fast as the package they buy into. For the Hyperoptic team this is not acceptable. We want to open people's minds to the future beyond broadband and enable them to connect, explore and be satisfied – our technology will not disappoint.
From consumers simply wanting to download an HD movie at home to fanatical gamers wanting to experience cloud-based action in 'real time', Hyperoptic is for everyone because where information is expected instantly, the future will be fibre.
Hyperoptic will also make the term used by the big players to confuse customers 'connection speeds up to' redundant as the speed will simply be 'up to the consumer'."
The network itself will be built by using a mix of existing fibre optic connectivity from other operators and its own
newly constructed infrastructure. It's designed to be largely independent of BT and other providers, running in parallel, but there will be some degree of natural interconnectivity.
At the time of writing Hyperoptic has
yet to reveal any initial coverage or pricing details, though they do intend to offer a range of package speeds (
Hyper-Light 20Mbps,
Hyper-active 100Mbps and
Hyper-sonic 1Gbps). Customers can also expected "
unlimited" downloads (
Fair Usage Policy), a static IPv4 address, an IPv6 address, a HyperHub wireless-n router and free 24/7 support. No BT line will be required.
On top of that Hyperoptic will also be offering cost-saving VoIP telephone calls and an as yet unspecified on-demand IPTV service, which will be accompanied by a
Set-Top-Box for Freeview and stream HD TV (sounds a lot like the forthcoming YouView service). Credits to
ZDNet for spotting the launch first.