Gigabit broadband now available to 13,300 homes in Newry and surrounding areas

• Full fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology with average top speeds of 1,140Mbps delivered to more parts of Northern Ireland including Newry, Markethill, Camlough and Bessbrook
• Virgin Media’s broadband speeds are 28 times faster than the local average
• Ultra HD TV shows and computer games download in minutes
• Virgin Media’s engineers have worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure customers have access to vital connectivity when they need it most

Virgin Media has connected 13,300 homes in Newry, Northern Ireland, to its ultrafast broadband network, bringing next-generation gigabit speeds to the area. Other areas connected include Markethill, Camlough and Bessbrook.

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

Newry and surrounding areas are the latest locations now able to access Virgin Media’s gigabit broadband service – Gig1 – from day one. Gig1 is able to provide homes with average top speeds of 1,140Mbps – perfect for those working remotely, streaming TV shows and films, video calling friends and family and playing games online.

In November, Virgin Media activated its gigabit network in Northern Ireland meaning that 400,000 homes across the country could access the fastest widely available speeds in the UK. In August, Virgin Media Ireland also switched-on gigabit broadband services in the Republic of Ireland.

The company is in the process of rolling out Gig1 across to its entire network of 15 million homes across the UK by the end of 2021. Moving forward, all new areas that are connected to Virgin Media’s network as part of its expansion programme will be able to access its gigabit speeds providing that they’re in an area already served by Gig1.

Virgin Media has continued to expand its network and install new customers during the global COVID-19 pandemic to bring ultrafast connectivity to more homes and businesses across the UK when they need it most.

Ultrafast broadband boost for Newry and its surrounding area’s residents – now 28 times faster than the local average

Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband speeds are 28 times faster than the local average*. Residents in Newry and surrounding areas will benefit from fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology which allows for smooth, reliable connectivity in the home. With 1,140Mbps connection, large files, films and games become very quick to stream and download: \

· Download every Bridgerton episode in UHD (56GB) in 7 minutes, compared to three hours 25 minutes on the average local connection;

· Download Call of Duty: Cold War (133GB) on PS5 in 16 minutes and 42 seconds, compared to over eight hours and six minutes on the average local connection**


Seamus McCorry, Regional Director for Northern Ireland at Virgin Media, said:

“Virgin Media boasts the largest gigabit broadband network in Northern Ireland and we’re delighted to be able to bring our next-generation connectivity to more homes in Newry and surrounding areas.

“Our Gig1 broadband provides speeds 28 times faster than the local average, meaning whether you’re working remotely, gaming online with friends or Zooming with family, you never have to worry about your broadband letting you down.”

Gig1 – faster speeds, new router and competitive pricing


Customers taking Gig1 will benefit from Virgin Media’s new and best ever equipped gigabit capable router – the Hub 4. The new router is Virgin Media’s fastest to date and features improved WiFi hardware to provide speedy and reliable connectivity throughout customers’ homes.

Gig1 broadband is available to new and existing customers and can be packaged with or without telephone, TV and mobile services. Prices start from just £62 per month on an 18 month contract with a guaranteed price freeze for at least 24 months.

New customers can also combine broadband, TV, home phone and mobile into one bundle, which offer outstanding value for customers.

With the Ultimate Oomph bundle, customers can enjoy the ultimate entertainment and connectivity experience at home or on the move.

This includes broadband with average top speeds of more than 600Mbps, as well as a mobile SIM with truly unlimited data, texts and calls.

Customers can also access Virgin Media’s new TV service, Virgin TV 360. The advanced TV line-up includes a new Mini box, new TV remote with voice control and smart new features which offer a fully integrated, voice activated and personalised service.

Offering the very best entertainment, Virgin TV 360 boasts all of the top TV channels and streaming apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer, all with 4k Ultra-High Definition and HDR viewing capabilities.

Ultimate Oomph also comes complete with more than 230 channels including Sky Sports, Sky Entertainment and Sky Cinema in Ultra HD and BT Sport in 4K Ultra HD, as well as inclusive anytime landline calls.

And with Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband, multiple users in the home can stream and watch their favourite shows and content all at the same time in the highest resolution.

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

Ends


Notes to Editors

More information about how Virgin Media people are helping the country stay connected can be found HERE.

*The average (median) broadband speed in Newry, Mourne and Down is 39.8Mbps. Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations Report 2020, published 17 December 2020.

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

About Virgin Media

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

Our network delivers the fastest widely-available broadband speeds to homes and businesses. We’re expanding this through continued investment in our Project Lightning programme, which has seen our network footprint reach an additional 2.5 million premises so far to pass 15.3 million UK premises overall. We are also investing to bring next-generation gigabit speeds to our entire broadband network by the end of 2021, making us the UK’s largest gigabit operator.

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 5G connectivity. We are also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the UK.

Through Virgin Media Business we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering a range of connectivity and tailor-made services.

Virgin Media employs around 12,000 people directly in the UK and is part of Liberty Global, one of the world’s leading converged video, broadband and communications companies. Liberty Global connects customers through operations in seven countries across Europe subscribing to 49 million broadband, TV, fixed and mobile telephony services.

Press contacts

press@virginmedia.co.uk

Twitter: @VirginMediaCorp