BT unveils I-Plate device to potentially boost broadband speeds

British Telecom (BT) has launched a new device called the I-Plate, which is claimed to provide a boost towards the government's recently announced universal broadband pledge.

Communications minister Lord Carter's Digital Britain report recently pledged to deliver broadband of a minimum speed of 2Mbps to all UK households by 2012.

Developed by BT's Wholesale unit, the I-Plate can apparently enhance actual consumer broadband speeds to significantly higher levels.

As a self-install product, the device works as a filter to lessen the electro-magnetic 'noise' generated by other electrical appliances, such as lighting or television.

It is this 'noise' which can interfere with broadband speeds and cause a slowing of the actual service being delivered.

"We think that the I-Plate can certainly play a part in delivering higher broadband speeds to people suffering poor performance," a BT spokesman commented.

During tests, BT found that the I-Plate, which retails at £10 per unit, was able to boost speeds by between 1.5 and 4Mbps.

Mobile phone provider 3 recently reported that it has now sold over one million mobilebroadband dongles, which can deliver wireless 3G internet on the go.