Virgin launches “Britain’s fastest broadband”
February 28, 2014
Virgin Media has unleashed broadband speeds that it claims are 19 times faster than regular broadband. The new 152Mb top speed becomes the fastest widely available connection in the UK.
Virgin Media has introduced an ultrafast speed ahead of BT or any other major provider. In addition, Virgin Media’s entry-level service is now increased to 50Mb, setting a new standard for Internet connectivity that It says is five times faster than regular broadband from Sky or BT.
Tom Mockridge, Virgin Media’s chief executive officer, said: “Overwhelmingly people tell us the Internet is a force for good. From daily life to the bigger aspects of society, culture and economic growth, digital is making a significant, positive difference to people’s lives. We’re supercharging our incredible network to ensure that Virgin Media customers can make the most of the online world.”
The new 152Mb top speed means users can download an entire TV show in one minute but the ultrafast service really comes into its own in satisfying the burgeoning demand for bandwidth in Britain’s households as people use multiple connected devices online at the same time.
Peak internet use by Virgin Media customers has grown 55 per cent in the past year and has increased by almost 1000 per cent since the company’s launch in 2007. It is for this reason that Virgin Media will boost broadband speeds for existing customers over the next twelve months: 30Mb customers can boost to 50Mb, 60Mb to 100Mb and 120Mb can get 152Mb.
Virgin Media’s broadband boosts have been recognised by Ofcom as helping to double the number of UK households benefiting from superfast broadband since 2011. A further one million customers signed up to get 30Mb or faster with Virgin Media in 2013.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller MP said: “Faster, safer home Internet from Virgin Media is great news for families across the UK. Families are now downloading films, streaming music and playing games through phones, laptops, tablets and consoles. Higher speeds will enable the whole family to use the Internet at the same time.”