BT boosts entry-level fibre broadband speeds to 52Mbps
Downloads will get faster, but only if your line supports it.
In its mission to supply the UK with faster broadband, BT has announced a new speed upgrade for Infinity fibre customers. New and existing entry-level subscribers can now enjoy up to 52Mbps, a 32 percent increase from their previous 38Mbps connection.
BT is keen to advertise that the new Infinity 1 package gives customers faster speeds than similar packages from Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin. Sky and TalkTalk share the same Openreach networks as BT, meaning that it'll only be a matter of time until they launch their own 52Mbps packages. While Virgin Media's basic offering comes in slightly lower than BT at 50Mbps, its business plans reach a whopping 300Mbps, compared to Infinity 2's 78Mbps.
Before you get too excited, bear in mind that in order to notice those faster speeds, you need to be enjoying maximum connectivity from your existing 38Mbps service. If you're only getting around 20Mbps, then an upgrade won't make the slightest bit of difference.
New customers will be expected to pay £10 per month for the first 12 months (with a 25GB cap) or £12.50 for "unlimited" downloads, but that will also come with £18 a month line rental and a one-off £49 activation cost. Existing BT Broadband subscribers can upgrade to the new service at no extra cost but will be tied into a new contract.
The speed boost will likely be welcomed by UltraHD subscribers, who were told when they signed up that the recommended download speed is 44Mbps. With better connectivity, the service can better handle higher definition broadcasts, while delivering faster speeds to the rest of the household.
