BT spices 8Mbps broadband services

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 5 Apr 2006 at 12:20

BT is rolling out 8Mbps services to its customers, with special deals to attract new blood.

Headline speeds for the service are 8Mbps downstream and 448Kbps upstream, and the company is plugging its Broadband Talk net phone services in tandem with these faster speeds.

BT's high-usage customers are the first to receive the upgrade from 2Mbps to 8Mbps. Its subs that have signed up for 40GB monthly caps can receive it from today. Those on the 20GB limits are accelerated on 11 April and those on the 6GB and 2GB options will be boosted later in the spring. The standard price for the tariffs are £29.99, £26.99, £22.99 and £17.99, respectively.

The company is also looking to attract new subs with a three-month introductory offer for £11.99 a month.

Existing customers can register their interest in having their service upgrade at www.bt.com/getbroadband.

BT's rivals in the 8Mbps space include Wanadoo, Bulldog and UKonline, which charge between £17.99 and £24.99, with varying data caps and other services - indeed Bulldog Anytime offers 8Mbps services for £9.75 a month as part of a service bundle.

BT first started testing 'maxed out' 8Mbps services exactly a year ago with national trials in October 2005.