Alcatel-Lucent, BT Trialing G.fast in the UK

Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU) and BT are commencing a consumer trial of G.fast broadband access technology in Gosforth in northeast England. The trial is intended to enable Internet speeds of up to 330 Mbps, delivered over twisted-pair copper infrastructure directly into consumers' homes.

Alcatel-Lucent's G.fast technology has already been in trials with more than 30 operators worldwide. The BT trial will cover up to 2,000 homes in Gosforth, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and will last for six to nine months. It follows a much smaller pilot conducted by BT and Alcatel-Lucent around Hethersett in Norfolk, earlier this year.