The iPhone 5 and downloads of the new operating system IOS 5 have smashed BT's broadband usage record.

In a statement, John Petter, MD Consumer, BT Retail said: “Over the last two nights we’ve seen the highest ever traffic levels over BT Retail’s broadband network in the UK, with unprecedented demand for Apple’s new iPhone operating system."

BT reported that broadband traffic levels were at their highest level ever seen within BT’s UK broadband network, which includes BT and other content providers on Wednesday night from the launch of Apple’s iPhone OS 5 until past midnight.

Thursday night was the second highest broadband usage period measured by the company, double the peak last Tuesday.

Queues for the new phone are still forming across the world, with many queueing in New York, following morning flocks at Apple stores here in the UK.