BT Takes The Wait Out Of The World Wide Web

British Telecom announced a new digital communications service today which enables UK customers to surf the internet at high speeds and use the telephone at the same time over their existing telephone line.

The new service operates over existing BT telephone-lines at speeds quicker than the fastest modem, on average taking just two seconds to connect to the internet. With the old BT system, to connect to the internet users had to first disengage from the telephone, but this technology allows customers to surf the internet or send e-mails, whilst simultaneously talking on the phone.

The technology has been supplied by Marconi Communications and Ericcson, and is installed easily by plugging into customers’ existing telephone equipment.

Afshin Mohebbi, managing director of BT’s business division, said of the development: “BT Highway is a major step towards mass digitalisation of the UK. Though internet growth has been phenomenal, only 1.8 million households are connected. BT Highway with its affordable prices and easy to use, fast and reliable service will help bridge that gap.”

This is the second announcement this week of technology which amalgamates digital, internet and telephone services; the first was earlier this week with the declaration of Pace and Cisco’s integrated set-top boxes for digital television (see Newsline).

BT: 0171 356 5369