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Virgin Media’s Next Generation Network Makes UK Broadband History

Posted Sunday 19th July 2009by Editor

Virgin Media, the UK’s only provider of fibre optic broadband services across the country, makes history this month with the completion of Britain’s first next-generation broadband network.

Having spent the last 18 months conducting significant upgrades using the latest DOCSIS 3.0 technology, Virgin Media has tripled its network capacity and is the first company to offer ultrafast speeds of up to 50Mb to over 12 million homes across the UK.

UK first high-speed network complete

New 50Mb pricing now below £30

Virgin Media trials higher upstream speeds

Launch of first Virgin Media branded laptop

To celebrate the completion of the network roll-out, Virgin Media announced a new pricing structure for its 50Mb service. From 1st September Virgin Media will reduce the monthly cost of its 50Mb service for new and existing customers to £28, when taken with a phone line, or £38 if taken as a sole product, making the ultrafast service ultra-fantastic value. The 50Mb service continues to be free of traffic management.

Virgin Media will also start a new pilot to trial a range of upload speeds of up to 10Mb – much faster than the download speeds of most ADSL connections. In addition to trialling the technical capabilities of the DOCSIS 3.0 network, the trial will explore the demand for higher upstream speeds for bandwidth hungry families, on services such as video conferencing, multiplayer gaming and home working.

This week the company will also launch the “Freedom” netbook, its first ever branded laptop. The bespoke laptop, available in black or Virgin red, has been optimised for 50Mb speeds and will be packaged with top of the line software. Both new and existing customers will be able to get the laptop at no additional charge when they take selected great value bundled packages.

Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media said, “As the first company to bring broadband to the UK ten years ago, the completion of our next-generation network marks another pioneering moment for internet access in the UK. We are delighted with the performance and reliability of our 50Mb service, and with the customer feedback. Now the roll-out is days from being complete, we’re ready to take 50Mb to the next stage of development and reinforce our leading position in the broadband market.”

Virgin Media is currently piloting the real-world deployment of 200Mb speeds in Ashford, Kent.

For more information on Virgin Media products and services visit www.virginmedia.com

Film Credit VisMedia – BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing star, Rachel Stevens, officially switched on the new Virgin Media 50Mb broadband service in London to mark the launch of the Uk’s fastest broadband service.