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Tag: mbps

  • Virgin Tests 200Mb Broadband, Plans To Boost HD Channels


    Virgin Media has just begun a broadband customer pilot to test real-world deployment of 200 Mbps speeds – making it the fastest implementation of Docsis 3.0 technology in the world.

    Services offered in Japan and the US currently reach 160 Mbps and 101 Mbps respectively.

    Through the pilot, Virgin Media will be testing applications consumers may be using regularly in the future, including entertainment services using HD and 3D TV and broadband content.

    Virgin said the pilot will be running for at least six months before results are analysed to understand potential consumer usage and to assess the commercial viability of such ultrafast services.

    A significant part of the pilot will also involve assessing related in-home technologies.

    In a separate announcement, the UK digital cable TV operator said it plans to add up to five new HD channels this year to keep pace with growing demand for high-def programming.

    Virgin Media, which just announced first quarter net losses of GBP £154m, said it is in discussions with a number of HD programmers.

    Currently the operator only carries a single linear high definition service, BBC HD, but offers further HD content solely on an on-demand basis.

    It has added 270 hours of HD material to its VOD system.

    Virgin said that 611,900 customers – 17 per cent of its digital TV subscriber base – currently take the V+ high definition PVR. This is up from 521,500 at the end of December.

    The need to beef up its HD content should be a priority.

    Virgin rival, BSkyB, last week announced it added 80,000 net new subs for its Jan-Mar trading and saw HD premium subscribers to its 32-channels of HDTV pass the 1m mark.

    Virgin Media’s total revenue in Q1 2009 was down to GBP £935.7m, compared with GBP £948.5m for the same period a year earlier. Its net loss widened to GBP £154m, from £104m.

    In its first quarter results announcement, Virgin said: "We are working to ensure our TV service stays ahead of changes in consumer behaviour.

    "We expect to increase our High Definition content steadily to complement our existing linear and on-demand line-up.

    "We are currently negotiating with several broadcasters with a view to launching at least five new HD channels in the third quarter of 2009."

  • Telefónica Performs First LTE Tests – 10x Faster Than Current 3G


    Telefónica today conducted its first tests on a real 4th Generation network with LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology, installed at its Demonstrations Centre in Madrid.

    The initial tests consisted of a VoIP call and a videocall using an LTE mini-network installed by Ericsson, Video conference, and data and images downloads at speeds in excess of 140 Mbps.

    These are around 10 times those possible with current 3G networks using HSPA technology.

    With LTE and in recent experiences from manufacturers with which Telefónica works on a regular basis, laboratory tests have been conducted showing download speeds in excess of 326 Mbps, while uploads have been possible at up to 86 Mbps.

    Telefónica says that before the 4th Generation or LTE arrives, it will continue to improve the capacity of the current 3rd Generation network.

    This currently gives both voice and data coverage to around 90 per cent of the Spanish population.

    Half way through this year, Telefónica is to start rolling out its HSPA + technology network, unveiled at the last Mobile World Congress with 21 Mbps download transmissions. This will mean it will also be able to offer the first commercial services and data devices this year.

    Information download speeds of up to 21 Mbps and 5 Mbps for sending information will be possible, as new functionalities and terminals become available, reaching 84 Mbps speeds until the arrival of LTE.

    Telefónica currently covers more than 81 per cent of the Spanish population with HSDPA – for downloading information, which it expects will surpass 85 per cent by the end of the year.

    With HSUPA – for sending information – this cover will reach 50 per cent by the end of 2009.