Broadband Guide

Virgin Media 100Mb broadband

Updated: Monday 14 May, 2012

By Helen Thomas

If you want to get online at faster speeds than ever before, then the new 100Mb service from Virgin Media could be the right package for you.

Allowing you to download an entire music album in as little as five seconds; a TV show in around 30 seconds, a high quality movie in as little as 1.5 minutes and a high-definition (HD) movie in around just seven minutes, 100Mb broadband is the fastest broadband connection speed currently commercially available.

Superfast downloads

Virgin Media has long been known for providing fast, reliable broadband packages. It released its up to 50Mb broadband connection in 2008, and followed this up in 2010 with an up to 100Mb connection. Virgin Media plans to complete roll-out of its 100Mb connection to its entire network by mid-2012.

Virgin Media fared exceptionally well when telecoms regulator Ofcom studied actual broadband speeds in November 2011. It found that Virgin Media customers on the 50Mb package received average speeds of between 47.4Mb and 48.8Mb, depending on the time of day. Virgin's up to 30Mb connection performed even better with tests showing that average speeds received by customers on this package were actually higher than the top speed advertised.

10Mb uploads

As well as the superfast download speeds that let you watch internet TV, download music and play online games in high-definition, Virgin Media’s 100Mb package also offers impressive upload speeds.

At speeds of up to 10Mb, you'll be able to upload content, send high-resolution pictures and even make HD video calls without much delay.

What can I do with 100Mb broadband?

It is large families that will benefit most from superfast broadband, says Virgin Media. “Research has shown the service will truly come into its own when more than one person is online at home at the same time, using connected TVs, computers, games consoles or mobile smartphones,” added the provider.

Faster speeds also allow people to really make the most of the internet. Virgin Media says that the increased use of internet-enabled devices has led to a 215% increase in data consumption over the last three years, while “faster broadband speeds provide users with the greater bandwidth to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable way to access entertainment and everyday services, particularly in shared households.”

BT fibre broadband

Virgin Media has made groundbreaking steps in the broadband market, but if you don’t live in its cabled area then you simply cannot sign-up to one of its superfast packages.

So if you don’t live in the 51% of the country that is currently covered by the Virgin Media cable network, then you might want to consider the new fibre optic service from BT broadband (www.BT.com).

Its BT Infinity packages currently offer speeds of up to 40Mb broadband to some four million homes and businesses across the country - though it is set to extend this to two-thirds of the UK by 2015, with a 100Mb service making up around 25% of connections.

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