Virgin trials 200Mb connections in Kent

Virgin Media has started trialling 200Mb broadband in Ashford, Kent. The ISP claims it is the world’s fastest implementation of the DOCSIS3 technology it is using to provide its current top tier 50Mb service which is being rolled out throughout the year.

The pilot was launched last week to 100 trial participants who will be giving feedback to Virgin Media on their use of the increase speed. The ISP will be using their connections to trial high definition and 3D television streams as well as allowing multiple rooms to video conference at the same time. Home security cameras will also be rigged up to the connection to see how well remote monitoring could work.

The trial will run for six months before Virgin decides whether it has been a technological success as well as, crucially, something they could turn in to a commercial service. It has yet to release figures for how many customers are on its 50Mb service and observers largely believe that while the speed is welcome, customers have yet to hit on a ‘killer app’ for which it is worth paying the premium for the country’s fastest commercially available connection.

Whilst gaming is an obvious contender, Virgin Media is unsurprisingly looking to its broadcast roots in the hope high definition and 3D video on demand, as well as video conferencing, will prove to be the services which prompt customers to go beyond a 10Mb connection, where available.

As Neil Berkett, chief executive officer at Virgin Media, said, “We’re really excited to be embarking on this journey of discovery. With the only true next generation network in the UK, we’re at the forefront of innovation and understanding when it comes to ultrafast broadband services and the 200Mb pilot will give us further insight into how true ‘wideband’ services might be used by consumers.”

Part of this ‘journey of discovery’, the company predicts, will be assessing the impact on computers and wireless routers which may not be able to get the best out of a 200Mb connection – routers, in particular, are not ordinarily designed to work at such high speeds. The trial is also expected to be monitored to see how well it would be suited to small and large businesses.

Tags: 200Mb, Ashford, Kent, Neil Berkett, Virgin Media