BT to boost broadband speeds with I-Plate
The device, which boosts speeds by filtering, will be given away free to ISPs by BT Wholesale.

BT is looking to squeeze more out of existing networks by giving away a new device called an I-Plate to its wholesale customers for free.
The I-Plate or interstitial plate is a filter installed into a home's master socket. It cuts down on household interference, such as from televisions and wiring, which hurts speeds and stability of network connections, BT claimed.
"Most consumers are unaware of the impact that faulty TVs, fluorescent lighting and home wiring can have on their broadband performance," said Cameron Rejali, managing director of products and services at BT Wholesale.
"The I-Plate can help solve this, depending on the level of electrical interference within the home, delivering faster speeds, greater stability and bringing high quality IPTV to more consumers," Rejali added.
Customers can easily install the device themselves, without the need for an engineer, BT said. For a picture of the I-Plate, click here.
The telco studied 36,000 lines, and found that filtering typically boosted speeds by about 1.5Mbps. Some jumped by as much as 4Mbps.
BT stressed the I-Plate isn't just about line speed it also helps stability and extends reach, meaning homes further from an exchange should see better service.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
And, if you choose not to believe BT on the merits of their own patent-pending system, our sister title PC Pro recently ran a test on the I-Plate, finding it boosted speeds by as much as half. The device will be distributed free from BT Wholesale to internet service providers (ISP) today, but it will take some time before they in turn offer it to their own business and consumer customers. The system only works on a BT NTE 5 master socket, which about seven out of 10 UK homes have, according to BT.
Freelance journalist Nicole Kobie first started writing for ITPro in 2007, with bylines in New Scientist, Wired, PC Pro and many more.
Nicole the author of a book about the history of technology, The Long History of the Future.
-
Bigger salaries, more burnout: Is the CISO role in crisis?
In-depth CISOs are more stressed than ever before – but why is this and what can be done?
By Kate O'Flaherty Published
-
Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25
News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
Equinix acquires BT's Irish data centers in €59 million deal
News As BT moves to an asset-light business model, Equinix looks to expand
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
BT just extended the PSTN switch-off deadline — here’s what you need to know
News BT described the move as a “revision”, citing a series of improvements to the wider PSTN switch-off programme
By George Fitzmaurice Published
-
BT misses key Huawei kit removal deadline, but the telco is “almost over the line”
News BT is still reliant on non-compliant Huawei equipment for 2G and 3G services
By Ross Kelly Published
-
BT partners with HPE to deliver new global managed LAN service
News The latest collaboration combines BT’s connectivity expertise with HPE Aruba Networking’s latest LAN solutions
By Daniel Todd Published
-
Making the switch
Whitepaper Realise the benefits of IP technology ahead of the digital ‘switch-on’
By ITPro Last updated
-
BT and OneWeb succeed in "game changer" satellite connection trial
News Smaller businesses in rural areas could benefit from improvements to backhaul services using satellites, with speeds increasing by an order of magnitude
By Rory Bathgate Published
-
BT, Nokia crack four carrier aggregation on a 5G network in first for Europe
News The breakthrough marks the first successful use of such technology on a live network, and could lead to dramatic network improvements
By Rory Bathgate Published
-
BT Mini Whole Home Wi-Fi review: Value-conscious range extension
Reviews You shouldn’t expect top performance, but this dinky mesh system eradicates notspots for a great price
By Darien Graham-Smith Published