Topic: 8Mbps broadband in range for only 8 per cent of UK

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Only eight per cent of UK households are within range of 8Mbps ADSL broadband services, according to a survey by the Department of Industry's Broadband Stakeholders' Group (BSG).

As you might expect, the figures, reproduced by ADSL Guide, show significant regional variations, with 25 per cent coverage in London and no coverage whatsoever in Northern Ireland and Wales. Around a third of UK homes have access to 4Mbps connections.

As 8Mbps services become available at more exchanges, around 50 per cent of homes should be viable.

The BSG also reports that ADSL2+ lines, once introduced, will only give performance improvements over ADSL for homes within 3.2km of exchanges. Only 50 per cent of homes will be within range of 15Mbps speeds.