TalkTalk to offer 80Mbps superfast broadband from April

[bassethound]

TalkTalk has announced plans to double the maximum broadband speed available to its customers this spring, following the launch of its new fibre broadband service last year.

TalkTalk said in a statement that it would increase its top-end fibre optic broadband speed from 40Mbps to 80Mbps, and offer the service for £15 extra a month.

Last year, Ofcom ordered BT to open up its fibre optic broadband network to rival providers on a wholesale basis. TalkTalk and Virgin Media have since started offering services over the network, while Sky will follow suit in April.

TalkTalk said that the 80Mbps speed, which has been made possible due to a network upgrade programme from BT, also offers a 20Mbps upload speed, which is valuable for customers who post lots of material on the web.

The rollout of superfast broadband speeds by providers is intended as a way to cope with the ever increasing demand for bandwidth heavy services on web connected devices, such as tablets, smartphones and games consoles.

TalkTalk said that a speed of 80Mbps supports an improved experience around video on-demand and online gaming, but also reduces potential slowdowns in households with multiple connected devices.

"Demand is continuing to increase for superfast broadband as more customers use their internet connections to watch live television, stream HD content, talk to their friends and family or play games that require real time responses," said Tristia Clarke, the commercial director at TalkTalk,

"We expect our new Superfast Fibre Optic Broadband to be very popular as it will allow the whole family to enjoy seamless connectivity and high upload and download speeds for unbeatable value".

Customers can now pre-register for TalkTalk's superfast broadband service, which will become available in early April. Availability depends on the coverage of BT's fibre network, which can be checked on TalkTalk's website.

The launch of TalkTalk's 80Mbps service also comes ahead of the expected arrival of YouView, the joint venture project that is developing internet-connected Freeview set top boxes.

TalkTalk, a shareholder in the venture, is thought to be currently running an internal trial of YouView boxes in preparation for the launch.

[pooface]

Me likely the sound of that! Shame my exchange isn't fttc for a while yet! Hopefully will get pushed forward sooner rather than later! Hehe

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[bassethound]

Just swapped my phone and broadband to them and registered a interest in the new service as the fttc starts 01/06/2012 in my area

[Stanman]

Not impressed with their BB at the moment and was thinking fiber but the 18 month contract puts me off,