Did you know that voice networks (telephones to everyone else) are typically run across copper wires?
But did you also know that aluminium will do the job just as well?
I did. But when I first moved onto the estate I have lived in since 1987 I didn’t appreciate the downsides of aluminium. Of course back then we didn’t have high speed internet access. The best one could hope for was 56kb if you could afford the modem and if the other end matched it. Skip forward a few years and I was delirious to get 512kb and my wife was impressed.
However, a few more years on and the downside hit. Here’s a rough paraphrase of the conversation.
Me: Yes please, I’ll have that up to 8Mb service.
BT: Sorry sir, your line is too long.
Me: No it isn’t, I happen to know my line length will allow approx 6Mb.
BT: ermm, let me with technical sir.
… skip forward a few weeks because technical don’t do phone calls and I’m told that aluminium “can’t carry the high data rates that copper can and the best we can do is 2Mb“. Well way back when 2Mb was impressive but that hasn’t been so for years. So I was stuck.
Well not for much longer.
Fibre to the cabinet aka FTTC aka BT Infinity has landed in my neighbourhood and as of Monday no more 2Mb.
Hello 34Mb down 8Mb up – approx.
I would love to have that kind of speed. Just out of curiosity, what does that kind of connection cost?
For reference, we only have one broadband provider here (grr). My connection is 10Mb down by 1Mb up for US$45.95 per month.
My recent post Fly Like God Intended
Because of LLU the original only telecomms carrier (BT) has been forced to bulk sell its wares to any that care to put their kit in local exchanges.
That and regulations means that the cost of connectivity is (IMO) very reasonable. So, even though I've gone for the top end package the monthly cost (after an initial 3 free) will be £28 or approx $45, which is only £10 more than my current costs and I'll happily pay that to get these speeds