A team of researchers has developed a device which promises 100 times faster broadband speeds and 75% cheaper costs.

The scientists at Bangor University, working on the EU-funded Alpha project, are now set to build a prototype.

The device uses the UK's existing telecommunications network, but is expected to channel information more efficiently. The project partners claim that the device will be able to download 15 full-length Hollywood movies a minute, making broadband dramatically quicker and cheaper for consumers.

According to Dr Jianming Tang, from Bangor University, Wales, the device will revolutionise the communications industry within five years.

'The new larger and faster capacity networks would revolutionise home entertainment, delivering high speed HD films and television, high-power computer games and home video-conferencing facilities,' he explained.

'This will make remote working far easier and could have many other applications such as supporting older people in their homes, enabling applications such as tele-medicine to flourish,' Dr Tang added.

According to him, once the prototype is complete it will look very much like a DVD player and sit between the broadband outlet and computer. He added it is too early to say how much the device will cost the consumer.

'Importantly, it works with the existing fibre optic technology we have, so there is no need to rip out the cabling which runs the country's telecommunications network,' explained Dr Tang. 'Projections have also shown a more efficient use of the network will cut costs for every user by up to 75%. People may wonder how we will use this far greater capacity but applications develop through use, as we have already seen with the internet and telecoms technology.'

Bangor University

Source: Community R&D Information Service (CORDIS)