8Mbps broadband promised by Christmas

ISP Thus and BT are trialling a new broadband service that will offer 8Mbps connections straight to the home.

The first tests will begin in April and the company hopes to roll out the service nationwide by the end of the year. No details have yet been released on pricing, but Thus insisted that costs will only increase incrementally.

"Most homes currently have a maximum broadband connection speed of 1Mbps, but once subscribers can connect to more than 2Mbps it opens up a whole new world of possibilities, allowing users to download and stream applications with rich media content," said Nigel Stevens, product director at Thus.

"By playing an integral role in trialling 8Mbps ADSL we can ensure that we deliver a fully functional high-speed service ready for roll-out later in 2005.

"Target customers for super-fast broadband will include residential users wanting the additional speed to allow multiple users within the home, and businesses that have outgrown 2Mbps."

The tests are to determine the extent to which the signal deteriorates as the distance from the exchange increases. Thus said that it will not be able to guarantee 8Mbps to every home.