| Almost 90% of internet users in the UK use a | | | | street level and will give users speeds of around |
| broadband connection, with average speeds of 2-8 | | | | 30Mbps |
| Mbps. But because of technology becoming more and | | | | Wi-Fi has been available in the UK for some time, but |
| more advanced, such speeds may soon be too slow. | | | | the next generation, WiMax, will be able to deliver high |
| Fortunately, there are new systems being developed | | | | speeds, around 70Mbps, over much longer distances, |
| which could deliver super-fast broadband to our | | | | approximately 50km, all without the use of cables. In |
| homes. | | | | many countries WiMax is the predominant broadband |
| The first is the use of fibre optics instead of the | | | | infrastructure, and it shouldn't be too long before it |
| current copper cables. These fibres can carry speeds | | | | becomes as commonplace as Wi-Fi in the UK. |
| between 50Mbps and 100Mbps both upstream and | | | | Cable was perhaps the first method of delivering |
| downstream, meaning that uploading files to your online | | | | broadband to homes, and the protocol used currently |
| storage could be just as fast as downloading media | | | | is DOCSIS 1.0 (Data Over Cable Service Interface |
| from a website. Fibre optic systems can be expensive, | | | | Specification). Version 1.0 is capable of speeds of up |
| in the region of £15 billion, but it could well be a | | | | to 38Mbps, and a version 3.0 is being trialled in parts of |
| reality in a few years. | | | | the UK, and noting speeds of 50Mbps. It's hoped that |
| VDSL (Very high speed Digital Subscriber Line) is a | | | | eventually, DOCSIS will deliver around 120Mbps. This |
| cheaper option which combines the use of optics with | | | | system has another advantage; unlike current |
| copper. VDSL can handle high bandwidth applications | | | | methods, the connection speed isn't reliant on being |
| like VoIP and HDTV, as well as general internet | | | | close to the local exchange, and speeds should be |
| access. Rolling out VDSL across the country will | | | | consistent among all users. |
| involve building 90,000 cabinets to house the cables at | | | | |