BT Totals broadband

 

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By Alun Williams

Posted on 22 Jun 2006 at 13:59

BT has launched its BT Total Broadband package, which includes a number of products and services built around theoretical download speeds of up to 8Mbps. The range of offerings reflects BT's increasing move towards being a Web-friendly service provider rather than simply a physical line data carrier.

The Yahoo!-partnered package, built around the BT Home Hub (pictured), includes Internet voice calls, video calls, 'hi-definition sound' handsets and anti-virus and anti-spyware protection, and the BT Fusion package is also included, for cheaply routing mobile calls through home lines when within range. Music and TV/video content is due in the autumn, under the BT Vision banner.

BT Total Broadband also includes 250 free BT Openzone Wi-Fi minutes per month during the contract term, opening up Wi-fi hotspots in cafes and hotels to subscribers.

The BT Home Hub itself is BT's play for the heart of the digital home. It channels both Total Broadband and Broadband Talk services and connects wirelessly to PCs and other devices. BT claims it is future proofed because when additional services are rolled out the Hub will automatically be updated without user intervention.

BT has also updated its Broadband Talk suite of VoIP products, launching its Broadband Talk Softphone and Broadband Talk Video products. The former is a software client (PC only) for handling VoIP calls, including video headshots and presence information. The latter is the IP-based BT Videophone 1000. As well as improved sound quality (doubling the spectrum for voice, according to BT) there is the delight of viewing the person you are calling, if you so wish and if they are suitably equipped with a videophone, of course). It is available now, and the Videophone 2000 will appear in July, adding Web browsing and POP3 email support at a cost of £199.

'BT Total Broadband is the complete broadband service,' boasts Ian Livingston, CEO of BT Retail. 'Combined with the BT Home Hub, there is now a simple, powerful way to experience the full range of exciting broadband services at home or when out and about with Wi-fi via BT Openzone.'

Looking ahead, BT Vision will incorporate - Sky+ style - a 160GB capacity set-top box for recording and managing TV, video and music content. Pricing details have not been finalised, but a spokesperson emphasised that is was not a download service. As well as purchasing individual items, subscription-style packages will be available for the various categories of comedy, drama, music and kids entertainment. For music there would be three pricing categories: video, concert and miscellaneous documentary.

There are three options, which involve from 12- to 18-month contracts, starting from £9.95 a month (for 6 months then £17.99). They all include download speeds of up to 8Mb and free evening and weekend UK voice calls of up to one hour (with BT's Broadband Talk service). Option 3 (£22.99 for 3 month then £26.99) also includes a 40GB usage allowance, free video calls and a free BT Home Hub and handset. More information can be found on the BT website.

BT announced nationwide availability of broadband speeds up to 8Mbps, back in March, following a series of successful trials. The accelerated services were made available from 5,300 exchanges that serve 99.6 per cent of UK homes and businesses.