'World's fastest broadband' trials successfully produces speeds 240 times better than British average

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 7:57 PM on 25th July 2011

A Virgin Media trial has produced the world's fastest broadband - at 240 times faster than the UK average.

The internet giant has managed to produce a faster data transfer speed using the same technology Virgin Media uses to provide residential customers with their broadband.

This means feature length films could be downloaded in seconds and Virgin said the new broadband speed can theoretically provide 'near infinite capacity'.

Super-fast: Virgin's line could stream as many as 10 3D films at the same time

And Virgin Media added the connection is so speedy up to ten 3D films could be streamed at the same time.

 

Where Britain's average broadband speeds are around 6Mb/s (megabits per second) this runs at almost 250 times that: 1.5Gb/s (gigabits per second).

As well as giving consumers a faster download time for films and music, industry experts predict the new broadband speed could revolutionise NHS services.

Divide: The fastest and slowest broadband areas

NHS medical director, Sir Bruce Keogh said improved broadband connection would enable doctors to see patients remotely with a level of detail that allows some specialists to use services more efficiently, either through eliminating travel costs or by bringing very sophisticated techniques to remote locations.

UK Communications Minister Ed Vaizey was impressed by the achievement.

He said: 'It is fantastic to see the fastest internet speeds in the world over cable being trialled here in the UK.'

Fast: Edinburgh has one of the fastest broadband connections in the UK

Edinburgh has an average speed of 10.1Mb per second, closely followed by Bristol, with 9.9Mb per second, topping the list of fastest speeds.

But the latest trial highlights the divide in broadband speeds across Britain with certain areas struggling to get a fast connection.

Fermanagh and Cookstown in Northern Ireland have the slowest average speeds of 4.3 and 4.4Mb per seconds.

Broadband speed data table - highest

Residents in Luton and Newtownabbey in Belfast live in areas where the highest numbers of addresses are subscribed to superfast broadband services.

Northern Ireland has 97 per cent of addresses signed up thanks to a £30million investment, backed by telecoms company BT and the Government.

 

Explore more:

People:

Bruce Keogh,

Ed Vaizey

Places:

Belfast,

Edinburgh,

Bristol,

United Kingdom,

Northern Ireland

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26 Jul, 2011

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Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2018640/Worlds-fastest-broadband-trials-successfully-produces-speeds-240-times-better-British-average.html?ITO=1490
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