Virgin Media connects Oldham to ultrafast broadband

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

• Virgin Media’s broadband speeds are eight times faster than the local average
• 4K movies and computer games downloaded in minutes
• Virgin Media’s engineers have worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that customers have access to vital connectivity when they need it most

Virgin Media has connected 9,800 homes in Oldham, Greater Manchester, to its ultrafast broadband network which will bring the UK’s fastest widely available speeds to the area.

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

Oldham is the latest town to benefit from Virgin Media’s investment with the firm also rolling out next-generation gigabit broadband to its entire network of 15 million homes by the end of 2021.

Oldham falls within Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which, in March 2020, appointed Virgin Media Business to deliver up to 2,700km of new fibre cables across the region which will connect more than 1,700 public sites, enhancing Greater Manchester’s position as a leading European digital city region.

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 Oldham residents – now eight times faster than the local average

Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband speeds are eight times faster than the local average*. Oldham residents will benefit from fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology which allows for smooth, reliable connectivity in the home. With a 516Mbps connection, large files, films and games become very quick to stream, download and upload:

• Download in HD the entire 4th season of The Crown (10GB) in less than three minutes, compared to 22 and a half minutes on the average local connection;
• Download Call of Duty Cold War (133GB) on PS5 in just over 37 minutes, compared to over 4 hours and 59 minutes on the average local connection**

Paul Hutchinson, Regional Director for the North West at Virgin Media, said:

“Virgin Media’s lightning fast broadband packages provides quick and reliable speeds, ensuring that millions of people can stay connected when it matters most.

“Thousands of residents in Oldham can now experience the benefits of our connectivity and more with our bundles that offer limitless entertainment, minutes, data and texts, alongside broadband speeds that are eight times faster than local average.”

Virgin Media’s Oomph bundles

By combining broadband, TV, home phone and mobile into one bundle, Virgin Media’s Oomph packages 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 516Mbps – with a speed boost to 600Mbps in the near future – 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 280 channels including Sky Sports, Sky Cinema 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 > https://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 Oldham is 63.6Mbps. Source: 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 2.4 million premises so far to pass 15.2 million UK premises overall. We are also investing to bring next-generation gigabit speeds to our entire broadband network by the end of 2021, with progress so far making us the UK’s largest gigabit network.

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.

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 11 million customers through operations in six countries across Europe subscribing to 25 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