NTL Trials High Definition TV With Ultra Fast Broadband

Cable operator, NTL, has begun testing its first high definition TV services via new ADSL2+ technology, allowing massively increased connection speeds without the need to install expensive fibre optic lines to customers’ homes.

The new technology was revealed in a financial presentation, with NTL stating that it had been running trials of the new, high definition TV services since February and that there was potential for broadband internet speeds of over 18Mbps using existing copper phone lines.

The new service would represent a 600% increase in speeds for even NTL’s top tier broadband customers, currently accessing the internet at 3Mbps.

Reports today suggest that NTL has opted for ADSL2+ rather than installing fibre optic cables to customers’ homes in order to better utilise its existing network, which includes copper lines which were originally intended to provide phone services, but have now been adapted to carry broadband data.

NTL recently began rolling out its first fully fledged video on-demand services, allowing customers in Glasgow to view films provided by FilmFlex, as well as TV programmes through a package dubbed NTL On Demand (see Cable Giants Launch On-Demand TV And Movie Services).

NTL: 01256 752000 www.ntl.com

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