AOL UK doubles broadband speeds

Prepares for new love affair with Dixons

By Tim Richardson • Get more from this author

Posted in Telecoms, 7th February 2005 10:20 GMT

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AOL is the latest British ISP to double the speed of its broadband products without charging net users more. But it won't happen overnight: the firm is rolling out the upgrade to its 750,000 (ish)UK broadband over the next six months.

The speed increase coincides with AOL UK's new distribution deal with the Dixons Group. From 14 February, the ISP's broadband sign-up CDs will be on sale in 1,100 PC World, Currys, Dixons and The Link stores, replacing Wanadoo UK on the shelves. Last year, AOL UK's dial-up service became available in Dixons outlets in new distie deal between the two companes.

As part of the Dixons Group broadband roll-out, AOL is also launching a wireless home networking package with hardware manufacturer Netgear.

Said AOL UK chief exec Karen Thomson: "The success of our partnership with Dixons Group has strongly benefited our dial-up business in the last 12 months. We're confident that our broadband services will perform just as well in-store, and the launch of our Home Networking package paves the way to the digital home for even more consumers.

Last month Video Networks announced it was doubling speeds for its HomeChoice service up to a maximum of 4Mb at no extra cost. The broadband entertainment outfit sells video-on-demand (VOD), home phone and net access through digital TV, using local loop unbundling (LLU) to deliver the service. ®