Bangor boffins boast broadband breakthrough

A new broadband device can download 15 full-length movies in under one minute

Scientists at Bangor University have unveiled a broadband technology capable of speeds up to 100 times faster than today's top offerings.

A team from the university's School of Electronic Engineering developed a device about the size of a DVD player which the researchers claim can download 15 full-length movies in under one minute.

Dr Jianming Tang, who led the team, explained that the device uses existing fibre optic technology to channel data more efficiently.

"The new larger and faster capacity networks would revolutionise home entertainment delivering high speed HD films and television, high-power computer games and home videoconferencing facilities," said Tang.

"We may wonder how we will use a far greater capacity of connectivity, much as we wonder how we might use any new technology, but applications develop through use as we have seen with the internet and telecoms technology."

The research project was funded by a grant of £760,000 from the European Union.