BT takes on Virgin Media with 40Mbit per second broadband service

British Telecom will launch its next-generation super fast broadband service in the UK today, offering a 40Mbit/sec connection along with super-fast 10Mbit/sec uploads.

The next generation of internet connections are more than five times faster than the basic 8Mb connections enjoyed by most people today, and enable whole music albums to be downloaded in seconds and HD movies in just a few minutes. The fast upload speed is also an increasingly important factor for many who regularly upload photography and video to the web.

BT's 'Infinity' will be launched in two options. The basic option costs 19.99 pounds a month, with an 18-month contract with 50 pounds connection charge, free BT wireless N Home Hub, 5GB online Digital Vault and 250 free minutes of BT OpenZone WiFi access per month. Limitations are a 20GB monthly download allowance and restricted 2Mbit/sec upload speed.

'Option 2' costs 24.99 pounds. It is subject to the same length of contract, but drops the connection fee, provides 10Mbit/sec upload rates and unlimited download allowance plus unlimited monthly OpenZone minutes.

The British are becoming increasingly sceptical about the term 'unlimited downloads', as these in fact usually carry some charges or download limitations. In the case of Infinity, BT states that 'unlimited' is subject to a fair usage policy, but doesn't spell out what that is.

BT also claims to have undercut Virgin Media's prices, sparking a war of words with its bitter rival.