50Mbps trials in kent

just read this on bbc website,

A spokesman for Virgin Media, formerly NTL/Telewest, said some of what the BSG was calling for was already available over cable. He added that Virgin Media's 10Mbps service will increase to 20Mbps from May this year and it is running trials of 50Mbps among some customers in Ashford, Kent.

full story here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6552823.stm

all this speed is a good thing, but do you think that such speeds and changes of infrastructure would mean that isp's will be able to get rid of traffic shaping? its rather like owning a lamborghini that can do 195mph, but the speed limit on our roads is 70mph, i.e you could never unleash its potential.

maybe the first 50Mbp coonections will be available soon..... with a 20GB cap

[kmount]

You can't compare Cable to ADSL in this capacity.

The shaping is purely down to the cost of bandwidth to those 'served' by BT which cable directly aren't.

[AndyBites]

Well you can - cable has shedloads, we have very little. hmph.

[gomez]

Originally Posted by luvvbuzz

its rather like owning a lamborghini that can do 195mph, but the speed limit on our roads is 70mph

It is nothing like that. It is more like everyone having a fast car but trying to drive down the same single lane road all at the same time.

[wfnuk]

Originally Posted by gomez

It is nothing like that. It is more like everyone having a fast car but trying to drive down the same single lane road all at the same time.

Strange analogy. If that was the case the maximum speed would only be affected by the slowest driver and, even then, only those following the slowest driver would be limited!

[AndyBites]

isn't it more like trying to drive said expensive sports car down a very muddy farm track? you've got the ability to go much faster, but the connection just won't do it - sometimes you can even get stuck!

[gomez]

I didn't say it was perfect. Apart form which you are misunderstanding where the slowness comes from on a congested road.

Originally Posted by AndyBites

isn't it more like trying to drive said expensive sports car down a very muddy farm track? you've got the ability to go much faster, but the connection just won't do it - sometimes you can even get stuck!

yes, i prefer that analogy myself