Calling it the largest, single expansion of its network since the company launched in 2007, Virgin Media said it has begun to extend its network to 100,000 additional homes in East London.
The extension is being matched with the MSO’s TiVo-powered video service and its top-end broadband tier, which delivers 152 Mbps in the downstream, claiming it more than doubles BT’s 76 Mbps offering in the area.
Virgin Media, now part of Liberty Global, said it selected the new expansion locations because they are adjacent to its existing network, which currently covers more than half of all London homes and provides WiFi connectivity for the city’s Underground commuter service . The MSO said it has begun to connect properties in these new areas, which initially include Bethnal Green, Isle of Dogs, Newham and West Ham, and will later include Stratford, Poplar, Stepney, Bow and East Ham.
“This is a significant investment for Virgin Media and our largest, single network expansion project to date. We are very proud to be supercharging East London, helping thousands of people make the most of the UK’s exciting digital future,” said Virgin Media CEO Tom Mockridge, in a statement.
“London is earning a reputation for being the Tech capital of Europe and that is why we need to ensure every Londoner is able to access superfast broadband services. It has become a utility that every Londoner expects and this latest expansion is a further welcome step towards making that aim a reality. Improving the connectivity of this great city will be a key part of the Infrastructure Plan for London that my team will be consulting on over the remainder of this summer,” added London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Liberty Global’s U.K. division ended the second quarter with 3.73 million video subs (including 2.3 million that are taking Virgin Media’s TiVo-powered service), 4.41 million Internet subs, and 4.14 million telephone customers.
