A full-fibre future?
There is no question as to the importance of digital in our world. Across the globe we are making huge strides when it comes to technology, with many key sectors relying on high-tech improvements to power them into the next decade. But the increased use of technology means that we also require development in infrastructure to support this future. One way that companies are looking to upkeep our ever increasing need for digital is with faster speed home broadband.
Last year Ofcom carried out a study which showed that the average speed of UK home broadband sat at 36.2Mbps – with a significant difference for those living in rural areas as opposed to in cities.
Ofcom CEO, Sharon White notes on the increase in consumer demand: “The amount of internet data used by people in the UK is growing by around half every year. So we’ll increasingly need full-fibre broadband services like this to provide faster, more reliable connections and capacity to our homes and offices. We’re seeing real momentum behind full-fibre, with bigger and bolder commitments from companies of all sizes to build broadband that can support the UK’s digital future.”
One company that is running full speed ahead with providing faster broadband is Hyperoptic, which claims to be the UK’s chief provider for Gigabit broadband connections to residential homes.
Hyperoptic have today carried out the fasted test of broadband to a residential home through an existing ISP network. The company claims that they have delivered speeds of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) to a home in London at East Village – the former Olympic Athletes' Village. According to the BBC a 10Gbps connection would let a user download a HD film in just four seconds and download a 25GB Xbox game in just 20 seconds.
Chief executive of Hyperoptic Dana Tobak commented on the test, "We have carried out this trial to push the limits in terms of what's possible for residential broadband. It wasn't long ago that people asked if 100Mbps connections are necessary. However, as we've seen with the advent of 4K media services, gaming and a dramatic proliferation of multiple connected devices in the home, it has fast become the minimum many consumers demand."
The news of this test means that (if there is suitable demand) we could soon be provided with home network speeds previously unimaginable on a residential level. With more and more people working in digital industries and work ethos shifting so that many opt to work at home, or hot desk, the news comes as an exciting step in the right direction.
