Some industry officials have slated BT’s trial of super fast broadband, stating that it is too little too late, and cannot get the UK back on track

In a recent report analysts have questioned the effectiveness of the trial of super fast broadband by communications giant British Telecom, stating that it is unlikely that it will get the UK back on track in terms of broadband advancement, and adding that it may be too little too late. The super fast broadband provided through fibre cabling will be offered to three hundred new homes in the Kent area, with those trialling it possibly getting it for free.

The report shows that speeds for customers using this broadband will start at 2.5Mbps, but there will be bursts of 100Mbps speeds. An official from BT has described the speeds as not only decent but ‘higher in fact than anyone currently needs.’. However, this is not a view that has been shared by sceptics of the trial.

One analyst slated the trials, stating: “These speeds make it the slowest fibre service in Europe. I am surprised. This is a trial and I see no reason why they aren’t trialling the highest speed the technology can deliver. What is the point of a trial if you don’t really test things?”

BT officials have said that the baseline minimum would be 10Mbps, but that download speeds could increase based on what it was the consumer was downloading. They also said that consumers would be able to get speeds of 50Mbps when required even though the capacity is shared.

At present media giant Virgin is the only broadband provider that offers up to 50Mbps, with some providers still gearing up to offer 24Mbps. This has led to criticism and concern over how behind the UK is with advanced broadband speeds compared to many other nations.