Sony ISP Launches World’s Fastest Internet Service

Japan – A Sony Internet Service Provider (ISP) has begun providing a broadband plans with 2 Gbps downloads and 1Gbps upload speed for all the residents in Tokyo.

The ISP claims that it is the world’s fastest data transferring speed for commercial Internet.

So-net Entertainment began offering its “Nuro” fiber-based service on Monday to homes, apartments, and small businesses in Tokyo and six districts surrounding it. Nuro will cost ¥4,980 or approximately US$51 per month on a two-year contract, plus ¥52,500 installation fee that it is currently offering for free for those who apply online.

The web connectivity price includes the rental of an Optical Network Unit (ONU) designed handle the high-speed connectivity and converts signals from the fiber to broadband internet usable in the home. Considering that 2 Gbps is faster than most home routers and adapters support, odds are the hardware within the user’s house will be the limiting factor on speeds.

The Japanese government has strongly backed fiber connections to private residences, and the country is now among the world leaders. About 25 percent of Japanese households are currently connected, the second-highest rate in the world, according to data from regional FTTH, or Fibre to the Home, organizations. The UAE is the highest at over 70 percent.

So-net said its service uses the GPON, or Gigabit-capable Passive Optics Networks, standard, which supports up to 2.488 Gbps downstream.

For comparison, Google Fiber costs $70/month and offers 1 Gbps speeds (upload/download).

Source: networkworld.com, pcworld.com