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Virgin Media to launch 50Mb broadband this month

Fresh from launching its first ever mobile broadband service, Virgin Media has announced plans to start rolling out its new superfast broadband package later this month.

The announcement of the planned 'soft launch' came from Virgin Media chief executive Neil Berkett, who was speaking at the recent Communacopia XVII conference, held by investment bank Goldman Sachs in New York.

The Virgin Media boss said that following an initial rollout of its 50Mb broadband package in late October, the company would work to ensure that 40 per cent of the UK would be able to take advantage of the new high speed service by the end of the year. However, some sources have indicated that the provider would like this figure to be nearer to 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that customers who wish to upgrade to the 50Mb package from Virgin Media's existing broadband deals will have to invest in a new modem, because the new service will use an updated specification to control how data is carried over the cable network.

No details were given about the price of the modem or whether one would be bundled with the broadband package. Virgin Media said they were "not quite ready" to announce pricing for the 50Mb service, but details are expected imminently.

On the subject of pricing, the company has announced that it will not be competing for mobile broadband customers by offering bargain deals. Instead, Virgin Media hopes to win subscribers using its reputation for providing good fixed line broadband.

05/10/2008
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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