(Telecompaper) ITU members have achieved final approval of G.fast, the new broadband standard designed to deliver access speeds of up to 1Gbps over existing phone lines. The standard answers to service providers' need for a complement to fibre to the home (FTTH) technologies in scenarios where G.fast proves the more cost-efficient strategy. The Broadband Forum will run its first plugfest for January 2015 to ensure compliance with the G.fast standard and certify chipsets and equipment.