BT announces fibre optic broadband speed boost

BT has increased the maximum downstream speed of its Infinity 2 fibre optic broadband service to 76Mbps.

The move, which comes into effect today (April 12th 2012), has also seen the Infinity 2 upstream rate rise to up to 19Mbps, while the Infinity 1 package has been given a fivefold increase in headline upload capabilities to 9.5Mbps.

BT claimed the upgrade to Infinity 1 means the service - which offers download speeds of up to 38Mbps - compares favourably with Virgin Media's entry-level 30Mbps fibre optic broadband service.

Managing director of the telecoms giant's consumer division John Petter commented: "Super-fast broadband is helping people enjoy the internet far more than ever before. However, many providers have forgotten about the importance of fast upload speeds."

The announcement comes just days after Lancashire County Council agreed a £62.5 million project with BT to deliver fibre optic broadband to 97 per cent of homes and businesses in the area by the end of 2014.