Broadband Providers

Virgin Media 50Mb Broadband

Cable broadband provider Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) launched its 50Mb broadband service at the end of 2008, making it, at the time, the fastest provider in the UK.

It was the first next-generation broadband service to go live in Britain, offering connections nearly nine times faster than the average headline speed in the UK.

When it launched, Virgin Media described its new package as the “coming of age” of its unique fibre optic cable network. “Today marks a historic moment, for both Virgin Media and the UK,” said Neil Berkett, Virgin Media CEO.

Virgin Media's 50Mb service allows users to download an entire music album in as little as 11 seconds; a TV show in around one minute; a standard film in as little as 3.5 minutes and a high definition movie in just 15 minutes.

It will come with a high-speed wireless broadband kit including a combined N router and modem and USB adapter to make the most of the superfast, unlimited downloads. Free internet security is also included.

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “As one of the UK’s leading ISPs, Virgin Media has been at the forefront of broadband developments, and Virgin consistently tops the list when it comes to broadband speeds delivered to customers."

However, Virgin Media is only available to 51% of the UK, so people living outside of its cable areas will have to use ADSL2+ broadband through a phone line or look for an alternative cable broadband provider in their area. Use our postcode checker to see the options in your area.

What’s the future for superfast broadband?

Although Virgin Media was the first provider to offer a next-generation service, BT Broadband (www.BT.com) is hot on its heels with a £1.5bn investment plan to develop its own fibre network. BT Infinity - BT's range of fibre products - is already being rolled out across the UK offering speeds of up to 40Mb and up to 100Mb. BT has pledge to make fibre broadband available to two-thirds of the population by 2014.

In addition to this, both BT and Virgin Media are planning to increase the connection speeds they are offering. From 40Mb to 80Mb for BT customers in an upgrade starting this year, and from 50Mb and 100Mb to 120Mb for Virgin Media customers in a network upgrade scheduled for completion by 2013.

Both providers have also been trialling faster downloads at eye-wateringly fast speeds of up to 300Mb - faster than even Japan or the USA.

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