Virgin Media delivers world's fastest internet

[bassethound]

Virgin Media has successfully delivered what is claimed to be the world's fastest internet speed during a trial of 1.5Gb broadband in London.

The cable operator tested the speed, 240 times faster than the national average, in Old Street at an area known as London's 'Silicon Roundabout'. Those trialling the 1.5Gb download speed and 150Mpbs upload rate include members of TechHub, a community for technology entrepreneurs.

The 1.5Gb trial, first announced in April, uses the same infrastructure and technology as Virgin Media's existing £13 billion fibre broadband network. The company has implemented DOCSIS technology to create a "future-proofed platform", which it said can theoretically provide "near infinite capacity".

Virgin Media executive director of broadband Jon James said: "As people are simultaneously connecting more gadgets to the internet and doing more online than ever before, we wanted to explore what our unique fibre optic network is capable of.

"At speeds of up to 1.5Gb, Virgin Media is delivering some of the fastest broadband in the world and, thanks to our ongoing investment, we're able to anticipate and lead the way in meeting growing demand for bandwidth as future services and applications come online."

Virgin Media today celebrated the successful 1.5Gb trial with an event at TechHub showcasing its range of products, including the 100Mbps broadband that recently reached half of UK homes. Other businesses taking part in the trial include BespokeBanter.com, an online media outfit, and video productions company Soproductions.tv.

Communications minister Ed Vaizey said at the event: "It is fantastic to see the fastest internet speeds in the world over cable being trialled here in the UK. This exciting development will help attract new companies and entrepreneurs to the area, bringing new jobs and growth to this part of the capital.

"Last year the prime minister set out our ambition for London's East End to become a world-leading technology city to rival Silicon Valley. Developments like Virgin Media's will help make this ambition a reality."

TechHub co-founder and chief executive Elizabeth Varley added: "TechHub members are having great fun with the super speeds and are looking forward to trying out new ideas and applications. Superfast broadband is critical to continued innovation across the UK and Virgin Media's 1.5Gb trial is a great opportunity to explore the future potential."

BT is currently readying a technical trial of 1Gbps broadband in Kesgrave, Suffolk as a way to demonstrate the speeds achievable over its Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) product.