BT trial promises fast upload broadband service

BT is to trial a high-speed service which will deliver fast data upload and download speeds and widen the range of broadband solutions available to businesses.

The trial due to start next month is based on SDSL (symmetric digital subscriber line) technology which transforms a copper telephone line into a high speed data connection which will upload and download data at the same speeds simultaneously.

SDSL services delivered over BT's broadband network will make new applications available to businesses including videoconferencing and teleworking. Small companies in the new media and creative industries who need to transfer large multimedia files to and from clients and websites are among those expected to benefit from SDSL services.

BT Wholesale will work with the service providers selected for the trial and their range of small to medium enterprise (SME) and corporate customers to ensure the products are used to their widest potential.

Such uses will include internet access, data transfer, audio and video-conferencing, wide area networking, remote database access and teleworking.

Subject to the outcome of the trial, BT Wholesale plans a wider launch of the SDSL products in mid 2003 across the UK.

Elsewhere, a further boost to broadband users came from Oftel yesterday, which released pricing proposals aimed at boosting competition in the broadband market.

Publishing its report, Oftel said: "Business users will benefit from a new pricing and quality regime for high-speed, always-on communications services proposed today by Oftel.

"Prices for BT wholesale products, which enable other operators to offer leased lines to UK business customers, will be significantly reduced under Oftel’s proposals. This move is designed to bring down prices significantly for end users and operators by boosting competition in the leased lines market."

Oftel said that these savings will be backdated to August 1 2001, when the products were first introduced by BT.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said: "Oftel’s proposals will allow real price competition in broadband services for businesses.

"The proposals are the result of a detailed investigation of the leased line market which found that BT’s wholesale charges for leased line services are too high and that these prices should be reduced to reflect costs.

"Telecoms operators should pass on these significant price reductions to their business customers of leased lines services."

Oftel has invited comments on its proposals which must be received by October 8 and expects to announce a decision in November, having considered all responses.

(SP)