Virgin Media to increase top broadband speed

Virgin Media is preparing to increase the speed of its top broadband service to 120Mbps in a move that Prime Minister David Cameron claimed would boost the economy.

The UK cable operator will begin increasing speeds across its various broadband packages from next months, with those currently taking the 100Mbps service receiving speeds of up to 120Mbps. It will double the broadband speeds of those who currently receive speeds of 10Mbps, 30Mbps and 50Mbps. Those taking the 20Mbps package will see their speed treble to 60Mbps. The upgrade programme is expected to take 18 months to complete.

Cameron said, “I welcome this announcement from Virgin Media; it will provide a great boost for the economy and change the way many households, consumers and businesses use the internet. Rolling out superfast broadband across the country is a critical part of our plan to upgrade the UK’s infrastructure and build a new and smarter economy.”

Virgin Media chief executive officer, Neil Berkett, said: “The burgeoning market for better connectivity has given us an opportunity to transform the digital experience of millions of our customers and to bring about a massive step change in the number of UK consumers who have access to exciting, next-generation services. Virgin Media has a track record of leading Britain’s digital development and this major initiative will meet the growing demand for faster broadband as well as provide significantly more value to our customers.”