Ultrafast broadband trial starts in Swansea
Companies in Swansea could soon get access to ultrafast business broadband after a trial got underway in the city.
BT is testing out its latest technology in Swansea, with the development able to transmit data at hundreds of megabits per second.
A test laboratory is being set up in BT's Swansea base and the technology is set to be tested by communications providers, researchers and start-ups in the coming weeks.
BT's head of operations, Mike Galvin, explained that the development of new ultrafast broadband is now moving out into the field after lots of hard work in the lab.
He added: "Our technical trial will allow us to evaluate the best way of delivering ultrafast speeds to flats and business premises nationwide."
BT was recently criticised by Ofcom, with the watchdog stating that the company ought to open up access to its fibre networks in a bid to improve business broadband in the UK.
Jonathan Oxley, Ofcom competition group director, explained that the high-speed, fibre optic leased lines are a critical building block in the UK's internet infrastructure, even though they are "invisible" to most people.
BT's trial of ultrafast broadband in Swansea follows the company announcing it plans to roll out broadband speeds of up to 500Mbps to homes and businesses all over the UK in the coming years as part of its ambitious future plans.
Average broadband speeds across the country currently stand at 23Mbps, according to the latest information from Ofcom.
BT has also lodged an appeal with the Competition Appeals Tribunal after Ofcom's new chief executive Sharon White stated that restrictions on the wholesale price of superfast broadband are set to be introduced.
"Ofcom has not adequately addressed the concerns of the European Commission, who said BT should be allowed more flexibility to recover its sports costs over a longer period," said a spokesperson for BT.
Businesses looking to move services into the cloud should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.
(Image: Bidgee)
