ISP makes use of BT technology to offer faster broadband

Internet service provider (ISP) Zen Internet is to offer speeds of up to 20 megabits per second (Mbps) to its nearly 100,000 customers by using BT's 21st Century Network (21CN).

The ISP previously offered speeds of up to 8Mbps, but will use the 21CN to offer ADSL2+ faster services that could help elevate download times and provide better use of VoIP solutions.

Zen's existing customers will be migrated to the new platform at a rate of around 3,000 a month, although a range of factors such as how far users are from their nearest telephone exchange and the quality of their domestic wiring will impact on the actual speeds they receive.

Andrew Saunders, head of product management and marketing at Zen Internet, said: "Zen Internet was one of the first ISPs to embrace broadband technology in the UK and the launch of these new faster services marks another significant milestone for us."

Virgin Media recently launched a 50Mbps service using fibre optic cabling and plans to offer even faster speeds in the coming years.