Broadband News

Virgin Media are keeping up the pressure on their rivals, with news of yet another fresh service. The group are reportedly poised to ink a contract with Cable and Wireless to supply UK customer’s with non-cable broadband – helping expand their broadband reach even further. Although this has not been formally confirmed, Cable And Wireless are the only group rumoured to be in the running.

Tiscali last week ducked out of the bid to take on the contract, contrary to reports from Virgin Media executive Steve Burch.

This new deal will enable Virgin Media to provide their quad-play service (broadband, home phone, mobile phone and TV) to areas not accessible by cable. UK cable access has always been compromised due to geographical complications. This new deal therefore allows Virgin Media to increase their customer base with ADSL technology down regular BT telephone lines.

While this news is great news for home broadband users, Virgin Media will not be able to offer as high bandwidths as with cable due to ADSL lines going through copper wires which lack the speed and reliability.

Beyond this latest news, Virgin Media’s next step will be to provide live streaming of Premiership football matches through their PC, with that deal starting in August this year. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but some free clips will be available on the site as well as paid-for content. Other new services that Virgin Media will be including are the opportunity to download songs free of charge, and also stream other sporting events such as motorsport and snooker.

With Virgin Media now the main sponsor for Big Brother 2007, customers will be able to stream live coverage direct from the house. The new revamped BB site (in conjunction with Virgin Media) is aimed at broadening its customer base and will let users upload video content with Photobox, where customers can post pictures and get them developed and delivered to their door.

The company is also aiming to expand it’s ‘free’ TV offer to non-cable customers, their set-top box offers access to 40 free to air channels, 25 digital radio stations, as well as a branded 8-day on screen TV guide, plus access to interactive content. This box is free with the up to 8Mb/s non-cable package.

You can view Virgin media’s latest packages on our Top 10 Broadband Packages list.