The TalkTalk fibre-optic trial

Our fibre optic broadband trial is based on FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) technology being rolled out across the UK by Openreach (which is part of BT). TalkTalk will be able to connect customers to the internet using this new infrastructure and provide up to 40Meg downstream and up to 2Meg upstream speeds. The performance of each line will depend on line length and its characteristics.Close

The current method for providing faster broadband involves switching existing copper wires for fibre optic cables - glass fibres that use light to transmit a signal at speeds of 100Meg or more. Telecoms companies already use optical fibres for the backbone of their networks, but extending them from telephone exchanges to homes is costly. There are two major options for increasing speeds:

• FTTC (Fibre To The Cabinet), where fibre runs from the local exchange to street cabinets but existing copper lines are used (using a technology called VDSL2) for the final link into the customer's home.
• FTTP (Fibre To The Premises), where each customer has a fibre coming into the home, providing very high bandwidth.

Over the next few months, TalkTalk will be trialling the FTTC method.Close

The first trials will be taking place from August 2009 - January 2010 in the following areas: Muswell Hill in London, Halfway House in Glasgow and Whitchurch near Cardiff. Please keep an eye on the TalkTalk website for more detailed information on our future plans for fibre optic broadband. Close

FTTC will be capable of supporting up to 40Meg downstream and up to 2Meg upstream. As with ADSL technologies the speed that a customer gets is dependant on the distance from the green cabinets on streets. 95% of people will be expected to get close to 40Meg. Future phases, including FTTP, will be able to handle downstream speeds of 100Meg. Higher upstream speeds will also be available.Close

There's no charge for participation in the trial. TalkTalk will be paying the setup costs and for any equipment that you will need, including new sockets, routers and extension cable (if needed.) As part of the trial you'll continue to pay your current line rental, non-inclusive calls and any additional features (Boosts) but there will be no monthly charge for your phone and broadband package - such as TalkTalk Essentials. All customers on the trial will also have their download limit raised from 40GB to unlimited Close

If you live in the areas where we´re testing fibre-broadband you can register for the trial by clicking here.Close

An Engineer will visit your home and will install all the necessary equipment and configure any computers or devices you currently have. Then they will test the service from one of these computers to ensure you can access the internet.Close

The FTTC trial will make use of new technology, this will require the replacement of the NTE5 (the master BT socket) in your house with a SSFP (Service specific faceplate) this will enable the service to use the new vDSL2 technology. In addition there will be two extra pieces of hardware, a vDSL2 modem and also a router (which will provide wired and wireless access and will replace the existing modem that you currently have). Both of these pieces of equipment need to be plugged in to a power socket. It is possible to move or extend the master socket connection with an extension cable, and the installation engineer will discuss this with you before the hardware is fitted.Close

Consoles are supported by fibre optic technology and any consoles such as Playstation 3™, Nintendo Wii™, or X-Box 360™ will be compatible with the service.Close

There will be a dedicated team supporting trial participants and making sure you get the best possible experience. Currently there are no issues with the technology, although as with any trial there may be some loss of service. So if you use your broadband a lot for work, you should not take part. If you do have problems with the new service, we'll work to resolve any fault. If this isn't possible we can restore your previous ADSL or ADSL2+ service but this may take around 5 working days to complete. It will be done remotely and an engineer won't need to visit your home. You will then need to reconnect your old modem/router.Close

At the end of trial, we will restore your original ADSL service or offer you the option to move to a Fibre optic broadband package, if it's available - with no setup chargesClose