15,000 homes and businesses in Carluke and Stepps now ultrafast broadband ready

Full fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology with average speeds of 516Mbps

4K movies and computer games downloaded in minutes

Offering speeds more than 12 times faster than the local average

Virgin Media has completed the rollout of its ultrafast broadband network in Carluke and Stepps which will provide more than 15,000 local residents and businesses with the fastest widely available speeds in the UK.

As part of its ‘Project Lightning’ network expansion programme, Virgin Media is expanding its ultrafast broadband network across the UK bringing average speeds of 516Mbps for residents and small businesses.

In Stepps, more than 9,000 premises have been connected and, in Carluke, the number is just over 6,500. This will help transform the quality of broadband in both areas where the average (median) download speed is 40Mbps*.

Both areas will benefit from fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology which allows for smooth, reliable connectivity in the home. With a 516Mbps connection, files, films and games become unbelievably quick to stream, download and upload:

·        Download a standard HD movie file (5GB) in less than a minute and a half, compared to more than 17 minutes on the average local connection;

·        Download a 25GB console game in seven minutes, compared to more than one hour and a half on the average local connection**

 

Customers will also feel the power of Intelligent WiFi - Virgin Media’s recently announced in-home broadband features that will deliver the UK’s fastest widely available broadband speeds to more areas of the home. This series of WiFi updates to Virgin Media’s Hub 3 router, alongside a new Connect app, gives millions of its customers an enhanced WiFi experience and greater control of their connectivity.

Ms Aileen Campbell, MSP for Clydesdale, said: “Good broadband connectivity is essential for modern life in a rural area like Clydesdale. Residents in Carluke will have noticed substantial works being carried out by Virgin Media over recent weeks as the rollout of ultrafast fibre broadband takes place.

“This is great progress, and the Scottish Government is committed to go even further with a pledge to deliver 100% coverage of superfast broadband by 2021. I know through my engagement with local businesses and constituents that there is still much to do to improve local broadband access, and I will continue to engage with private providers, government and Digital Scotland to ensure coverage is extended where it needs to be.

“I thank Virgin Media for their work in bringing improved broadband connectivity to Carluke and look forward to further developments which will enhance coverage as we work towards our 100% pledge.”

**

Julie Agnew, Regional Director for Scotland at Virgin Media, said:** “We are delighted that local residents and businesses in Carluke and Stepps can now start to benefit from the boost our ultrafast broadband will give them.  Giving them greater speeds will enable them to do the things they need to do and love doing more quickly and more easily.”

Virgin Media bundles

Virgin Media has brought all of its services together for the first time in one bundle to connect its customers to everything they love – with ultrafast broadband, TV and mobile combined in one plan for one great price.

As part of the new bundle line-up, new and existing customers can enjoy the UK’s fastest widely available broadband speeds of 516Mbps, add a data-rich mobile SIM to any broadband bundle, and build their own personalised TV service with a choice of new channel packs – which can be changed every month. 

Virgin TV customers can benefit from the latest entertainment on its 4k-ready V6 set-top box. They can make the most of this by watching hit shows on the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel and all the sports action on BT Sport 4K UHD.

It also boasts more than 260 TV channels (including up to 50 HD channels) and offers Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Netflix, as well as an extensive on demand library of TV box sets and movies; giving customers seamless access to the TV they want, all in one place.

For those interested in Virgin Media’s fantastic services, they can go online now to check out our latest deals > https://www.virginmedia.com/

Ends

Notes to Editors

 
*The average (median) broadband speed across Carluke (North Lanarkshire) is 40Mbps. Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations Report 2018, published 18 December 2018.

 
*The average (median) broadband speed across Stepps (South Lanarkshire) is 40Mbps. Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations Report 2018, published 18 December 2018.

 
** Download speeds calculated using www.download-time.com

About Virgin Media

Virgin Media offers four multi award-winning services across the UK and Ireland: broadband, TV, mobile phone and landline.

Our dedicated, ultrafast network delivers the fastest widely-available broadband speeds to homes and businesses and we’re expanding this through our Project Lightning programme, which could extend our network to up to 17 million premises.

Our interactive TV service brings live TV, thousands of hours of on-demand programming and the best apps and games to customers through a set-top box, as well as on-the-go through tablets and smartphones.

Virgin Mobile launched the world’s first virtual mobile network and offers fantastic value and innovative services with 4G connectivity. We are also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the UK and Ireland.

Through Virgin Media Business we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest widely available broadband speeds and tailor-made services.

Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, the world’s largest international TV and broadband company. Liberty Global connects 21 million customers through operations in 10 countries across Europe subscribing to 45 million TV, broadband internet and telephony services. It also serves 6 million mobile subscribers.



Press contacts

Jamie Clarke, Virgin Media – 0333 000 2984, press@virginmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @VirginMediaCorp