Broadband News

Virgin Media gives its customers faster broadband

Wednesday 11 January, 2012

By Anthony Hill

Over four million households will have speeds doubled.

Virgin Media is increasing the speed of its broadband services. It will double the speeds of over four million of its customers and is boosting its top speed to 120Mb, strengthening the company’s position as the UK’s fastest broadband provider.

Starting in February 2012, the upgrade programme will continue over 18 months and is expected to be complete by mid-2013. Households subscribed to Virgin Media’s current 10Mb, 20Mb, 30Mb and 50Mb services will see their broadband speeds at least doubled.

Even customers with 100Mb broadband will be given a significant upgrade to 120Mb. These speeds will ensure customers get high-quality access to the huge growth in new online services, like TV and movie streaming service Netflix, which launched in Britain this week.

Neil Berkett, chief executive of Virgin Media, said: “The internet has become an integral part of our social, work and family lives, so we think our customers are going to love this.

“A fast, reliable broadband service should not be a luxury. We want to make sure that consumers have access to the best value broadband service, and that means a superfast connection.”

The government has welcomed Virgin Media’s plans, with Prime Minister David Cameron adding: “It will provide a great boost for the economy, and change the way many households ... use the internet. Rolling out superfast broadband ... is a critical part of our plan to upgrade the UK’s infrastructure and build a new and smarter economy.”

120Mb broadband will allow users to download an entire music album in as little as 4.4 seconds and a high-definition (HD) movie in around five minutes. Virgin Media’s plans support the government’s aim for Britain to have the best broadband in Europe by 2015.