Delivery of the new increased speeds by BT Retail will help to achieve the government's stated ambition for the UK to have the best super-fast broadband network in Europe by 2015.

ENGADGET: BT super-charges fiber-optic broadband today, for the lucky few who can get it

"We are delighted to have reached agreement with ESPN for the acquisition of their UK channels business and that we have been able to add some exciting new sports rights to the ones we already have, " said Marc Watson, chief executive of television, BT Retail.

BBC: BT to buy ESPN UK and Ireland channels

But BT says its own-brand broadband from its retail division is also caning the opposition, winning 64% of new connections in the last quarter.

BBC: The fight for faster broadband

BT, Midland Bank and Matsushita which will offer interactive services and provide a retail subsidy for the set-top boxes needed to decrypt digital signals.

ECONOMIST: Digital television