BT delays ADSL after inadequate testing

BT wants more time to test its high speed internet services, a move that will delay the launch of these services by providers including Freeserve and BT Openworld.

The telco is concerned that mass rollout of ADSL could result in interference between lines and hence a poor quality service for users. BT said trials have so far been too small to identify so-called 'crosstalk' and more trials are needed.

Some consumer ADSL services, including Freeserve's, were due to launch next month, but September now looks like the earliest launch date.

ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) will provide always-on internet access through a regular copper phone line at downstream speeds of up to 2Mbps. However, first generation services will offer downstream access at nearer to 500Kbps.

BT says the service will be launched later than planned because ISPs planning to offer ADSL failed to provide the telco with the names of sufficient trialists in time to carry out the high volume tests. It says that further tests are necessary to ensure the service is completely bug free.

Experts had previously warned that ADSL services could suffer speed and quality problems such as crosstalk, which is when electric or magnetic fields from one telecom signal interfere with a signal in an adjacent circuit. Experts say that these problems could increase with the full-scale deployment of ADSL, which the flood tests are designed to simulate.

Freeserve officially declined to comment but vnunet.com understands that the ISP feels that lack of communication on BT's behalf is the reason it has had to delay rollout of its consumer ADSL services.

It is believed that the ISP worked with the telco over a much longer period for its business ADSL service than for the consumer product, and felt it was not given enough time to find trialists in the telephone exchange areas designated by BT.

Freeserve, which may be suffering from being one of the first ISPs to announce plans to offer ADSL services, said it will offer broadband services on a range of platforms. The ISP has been linked to takeover talks with cable operators NTL and Telewest but declined to comment on whether it had approached them about using their cable modem services.

AOL UK, which has only carried out limited testing of consumer ADSL services to date, said it would have no trouble providing candidates when BT gives it the green light.

"We will offer services just as soon as BT tells us we can. The size of company we are, and with the reach of our database, providing enough triallists would be no problem," said Matt Peacock, director of corporate communications at AOL UK.

Meanwhile, a number of ISPs, including BT Openworld, Freeserve, AOL UK and Claranet, are preparing to offer ASDL internet connections to businesses at the start of July and these are expected to go ahead without any delay. Demon Internet launched its commercial ADSL service through Thus - formerly Scottish Telecom - last week.

Business specialist UUNet, however, said in a statement on its website that it will delay launch of DSL services, including ADSL as it doesn't believe "that the products and processes will be sufficiently robust for its needs by this [July] date."

"On this basis, UUNet has decided that it will extend its trial period and deploy DSL products later in 2000. This will provide the opportunity to develop and refine the industrial strength solutions that our corporate customers will require," the statement said.