[Horizon]

Several new HD channels can be fitted onto one stream if using the newer compression method, but I'm guessing most of this will be used for the broadband speed upgrades.

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According to my records the last upgrade to 48 transport streams was not in 2012 as I stated earlier but in July 2010. So, if this upgrade is true, it will be the first major new network capacity boost in nearly six years.

In terms of channels:

Up to July 2010 there was 36 transport streams carrying 316 services (mostly tv channels) in my area. There has only been 2 upload channels/streams for as long as I can remember.

In July 2010 the network was upgraded to 48 transport streams carrying 342 services at that time.

By the time of the LOndon Olympics in 2012, the number of services increased to 406 and in March 2015 the number of services increased to 455.

Today, the number of services on my standard box is 439 in my area (East London). The number of services can vary between area and stb used.

As well as tv channels, services can include VOD (video on demand) streams, EPG data etc.

Of the 48 transport streams in my area, 8 of them are for downloads and 2 are for uploads, according to my router.