Virgin Media unveils 50Mbps broadband

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Virgin Media today unveiled its 50Mbps broadband – topping all other UK internet service providers (ISPs).

It will be the first ISP to offer such speeds to its customers, with the next fastest offering coming from Be at 24Mbps. Virgin Media currently advertises speeds of 20Mpbs for prices up to £29 a month.

The new service will cost up to £51 a month, although that price can be cut to £35 if customers sign up to various package deals.

Virgin Media claims the new network, which will target 12 million homes, will have more than double the capacity of the original cable network. The ISP added that the boost in bandwidth will allow users to download an entire album of music in 11 seconds, a TV show in one minute, and a move in just three minutes.

But the upgrade doesn’t just benefit those users willing to shell out 50 quid a month. Virgin Media reckons all of its customers will see a better service, as its 10Mb and 20Mb users will be moved onto a new network, freeing up capacity on the old one.

Neil Berkett, Virgin Media’s chief executive, said in a statement: “As the first ISP to roll out next-generation broadband access, our 50Mb service represents the dawning of a new era of high-speed services in the UK and is just the beginning of what we hope to offer our customers over the coming years. This service will transform the way people interact and entertain themselves online and will provide a broadband experience that is truly world class.”

Virgin Media uses a combination of its own fibre optic network and BT’s cables to provide its services.

Deployment has already begun in Scotland, the Midlands and South London, and 40 per cent of Virgin’s network will have the new infrastructure by the end of the year. The rest of Virgin’s fibre network will arrive in the summer of next year.

[a href="http://www.itpro.co.uk/608043/photos-virgins-50mb-broadband-modem" target="_blank"]Click here for photos of the 50Mbps modem that will accompany the service.

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