(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/GarethPriceGFX)
Openreach, BT’s local access network business, has begun a trial in collaboration with Huawei that has demonstrated broadband speeds of 40Gbps.
The trial used a Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) connection running between the University of Suffolk, the Ipswich exchange, and BT’s R&D centre at Adastral Park. Using a single fiber optic cable, the partners delivered 40Gbps, 10Gbps and 2.5Gbps channels simultaneously.
For context, current consumer FTTP services in the UK typically provide speeds up to around 330Mbps per user with a single fiber supporting 2.5Gbps of shared capacity. This trial shows that the same fiber infrastructure can support much greater total capacity—ranging from 10Gbps up to 40Gbps on different wavelengths—helping to future-proof networks against rising demand.
Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach, commented: “We’ll be taking ultrafast to up to 12 million UK premises by the end of 2020, and to the majority by 2025. But it’s also vital that we continue to look even further into the future, and prepare for increasing data consumption over our network. That’s what this trial is all about.”
Three different transmission technologies were used to achieve the 40Gbps, 10Gbps and 2.5Gbps streams. Each speed operated on its own wavelength, allowing multiple high-capacity services to coexist over the same fiber network.
The University of Suffolk, with its demanding bandwidth needs, has been testing the service for the past two weeks. In the next phase, the university plans to use the extra capacity for streaming lectures, game development, and delivering online courses—applications that benefit from low latency and high throughput.
Selley added that the trial demonstrates the FTTP network’s ability to adapt: “With the right equipment in the customer’s home and at the exchange, we can tailor speeds to suit individual requirements. Whether you’re a small business specialising in graphic design or a keen gamer using UHD and virtual reality, we’ll make sure your communications provider can offer the speeds and value-for-money services you need.”
Currently, more than 91 percent of homes and businesses in the UK can access superfast broadband at 30Mbps or higher. Openreach’s fiber network is available to 26 million homes and businesses, and the company aims to make “ultrafast” services available to as many as 12 million premises by the end of 2020 using a mix of FTTP and G.fast technologies.
Jeff Wang, President of Huawei’s Access Network business, said: “Huawei has been running an innovation programme with Openreach for many years and we look forward to continuing this partnership. Huawei’s investment and innovation in both fiber and copper-based technologies will help Openreach deploy ultrafast broadband across the UK for many years to come.”
Are you excited about the ongoing trial between BT and Huawei? Share your thoughts in the comments.