BT aims for better wireless connectivity with new Home Hub 15th July 2008 By Bhavana Navuluri BT Total Broadband has launched a new Home Hub that incorporates N standard wireless technology to offer better connectivity than other routers using G standards.

BT says it is the first ISP in the UK to offer N standard. Home Hub will offer up to twice the wireless range of other routers when connecting to other devices also using the N standard.

John Petter, managing director of BT Retail Consumer, said: "The new Hub will give you up to twice the wireless range of our competitors, giving our customers much more coverage in the home, even in those difficult-to-reach areas. The N standard technology also helps to prevent your wireless connection from annoyingly disappearing by providing a much more efficient wireless signal. Put simply, our new Home Hub reaches the parts other hubs cannot reach."

Epitiro's study of major UK ISPs from Jan 2006 to Jan 2008 has named BT Total Broadband as the best performing ADSL provider, followed by PlusNet, O2, Tiscali and Orange.

The new Home Hub features Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) technology that ensures defence against potential wireless hackers and snoopers. According to the company, other new features include a simpler set-up process, improved security and power-saving functionality.

The Power Save mode of Home Hub enables customers to turn off the wireless function via internet browser, when the service is not in use. According to BT, consumers can save up to 20% in energy with this feature.

The new Hub comes with a digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (dect) phone with high definition sound. The phone's features include a socket to plug in an inductive neck loop for people who wear hearing aids, keypad numbers in a clear typeface for visually-impaired people and a phone-to-hub fitting system.

BT's Home Hub, worth £90, will be free to new customers who sign up to a BT Total Broadband Option 3 contract. It is also included with Option 2 online orders. Existing customers can purchase the new Hub at £45.

Almost three million UK broadband consumers currently connect wirelessly to the internet at home. A recent survey by Linksys has found that about 59% of broadband users in the country have wireless connection and people are slowly moving away from fixed broadband connections.