FTTH technology to be tested on brownfield site for first time

Major internet service provider (ISP) BT is to test fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology on a brownfield residential site for the first time, reports ThinkBroadband.com.

Brownfield sites refer to established communities including those that already have internet infrastructure in place and FTTH technology involves running next-generation fibre cabling to cabinets in the street. From here existing copper wiring is used for individual house connections.

Installing FTTH infrastructure in London's Highams Park could deliver services of around 40 megabits per second (Mbps) and so allow residents to use VoIP solutions more easily while also enjoying faster download speeds.

Faster broadband speeds could allow multiple users in the same house to watch high definition internet content and play online games from separate computers over a single high-speed connection.

The government plans to connect every UK home to a 2Mbps service by 2012, although some businesses fear this speed will not be enough given that many applications already need quicker connections, especially in the office environment.

Speeds of up to 150Mbps could be available within the next few years from some ISPs.