UPC smashes internet speed record

The Irish internet speed record has been smashed by UPC who has recorded the highest speed ever of more than 1.4 gigabits per second download.

UPC broke the speed record as it announced it was doubling the standard entry-level broadband speeds for new customers from 25Mb to 50Mb.

The company also announced new 100Mb (formerly 50Mb) and 150Mb (formerly 100Mb) download speeds.

Sales and marketing director of UPC Ireland, Mark Coan, said the speed was an example of what UPC can deliver.

“The speed we demonstrated this morning gives a flavour of what the UPC network is capable of achieving and this is only possible through our fibre powered network,” he said.

UPC’s demonstration was just one development in the Irish internet market since Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte announced a national broadband scheme for Ireland, which will establish a fund of €175m to provide universal access to broadband of 30Mbps.

BT Ireland is to trial fibre-to-cabinet technology in Dun Laoghaire and one other site in Ireland. The fibre-enabled street cabinet solution can provide speeds of up to 80Mbps and has been used by BT in the North where 90% of all phone lines are now connected to fibre cabinets.

A spokesperson for BT Ireland said; “Because we have the proven track record in rolling this fibre to the cabinet technology out in Northern Ireland, we have now begun a trial in the Republic of Ireland. We are not testing the technology as such, but we are testing the process and how it will work here in this market. We are working with eircom currently on planning permission.”