As previewed by Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday, Virgin Media has announced its 100Mbps Internet service. From today, customers can pre-register for the service Virgin Media web site. The service will be live from December and the first areas to get it will be parts of London, the South East and Yorkshire. It will be rolled out to all of its 13 million customers through next year and continuing into 2012.
The headline speed means it takes over from itself as offering the fastest consumer service currently available, doubling the speed of its current 50Mbps service. The upload speed will by 10Mbps. Customers will be provided with a new modem and Wireless N router. The company said that this router is capable of handling up to 400Mbps, which it plans to roll out in the future.
Needless to say Neil Berkett, its chief executive officer was quite pleased with himself, stating that “The launch of our 100Mb service is a significant milestone in the UK’s broadband evolution and a vivid illustration of the power of our next generation network. From establishing the UK’s first ever broadband service in 2000 to the launch of 100Mb in 2010, in the space of just ten years, Virgin Media has led the greatest developments in digital Britain. The world of possibilities that broadband will enable is set to explode and we’re excited about the innovations we can bring to consumers in the next decade.”
The service will cost £45 a standalone product but this comes down to £35 a month if purchased in a bundle.