U.K.'s Gigaclear tests ultra-fast 5-Gig service, commercial launch set for 2016

U.K. broadband provider Gigaclear is testing an ultra-fast 5-Gig broadband service that enables customers to download a video in just a few seconds. The company said the 5-Gig service will be commercially available in early 2016 and will cost consumers $610 per month and businesses $2,289 per month.

Gigaclear CEO Matthew Hare cited Cisco research statistics, noting that Internet usage in the U.K. has increased five-fold over the past five years and is expected to grow 23 percent each year until 2019. "By launching the trial of this 5-Gbps service now, we are showing all our customers that we are delivering a future proof network today, one which won't need to be updated even as their usage massively increases in the years to come," Hare said in a statement.

Gigaclear isn't the only U.K. broadband provider exploring higher speed technologies. Hyperoptic and CityFibre both offer 1-Gig broadband service.

In addition, BT  (NYSE: BT)  announced earlier this year it was working with Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) on a consumer test of G.fast, a technology that can enable broadband speeds up to 330 Mbps over copper, in Gosforth, located in northeast England. The trial will last six to nine months and cover up to 2,000 homes around Gosforth. In addition to improved broadband speeds, consumers participating in the test will have access to "multiple simultaneous 4K TV channels" as well as streaming video and HD video downloads.

Gigaclear currently provides broadband service to 25 towns in the U.K. and is planning to add another 50 communities this year. The company was founded in 2010. 

 For more:
- See this release
- See this DSLReports article

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