Virgin Media launches a 400Mbps modem, but networks are slower

ONLY A QUARTER of the expanded network capacity Virgin Media's 400Mbps modem is capable of handling will be on offer by the year's end when both will go on sale.

With Virgin making 100Mbps broadband service available by the end of the year, it expects then to offer videoconferencing for the home and cloud computing for media file storage on its network.

The company already has 70,000 subscribers for its existing 50Mbps service. Customers interested in the 50Mbps service were involved in a 100Mbps trial in Ashford, Kent. Another trial in Coventry will start in the next few weeks.

"We want to be ready for the evolution of network speeds in the coming years as we roll out ever-improving services, including our 100Mbps service due at the end of the year and trials of 200Mbps," Virgin Media's director of broadband, Jon James said.

To help increase that network capacity to make fuller use of the 400Mbps modem, and the router that will also be on offer, Virgin Media wants to work with utility companies to use telegraph poles to run broadband connections into homes in more remote areas.

It apparently wants to string broadband cable on the poles rather than try to get DSL service to work over hammered bronze wires put during Roman times. Virgin estimates that up to a million people could be served in this way.

Kevin Baughan, director of technical strategy at Virgin Media, pointed out that the company deploys coaxial cable that uses different bandwidth for different products, and that the end of analogue TV signals had freed up space to increase bandwidth. µ

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Virgin Media to release 400Mb-capable modem this year

Internet service provider Virgin Media has revealed it's already working towards providing its customers with a speedier 400Mb broadband service in the not too distant future, along with a new and improved modem by the end of the year.

According to a report by tech site Tech Radar although Virgin Media have yet to release their 100Mb which is due at the end of the year, and are still trialling their forthcoming 200Mb broadband product they're already looking forward to bigger and better things.

Speaking on the provider's plans, Virgin Media's executive director of broadband Jon James commented: "We have done 50Mb and a series of upgrades and we will continue to give Virgin Media customers free upgrades on an equipment basis because we are the speed leader and we think it's going to continue as a way we do broadband." He continued: "We know very well we can do 200Mb and we could do 400Mb. We are launching a new modem by the end of the year that will be 400Mb capable."

James was careful not to reveal any details on the potential dates for these releases but said the provider had been accurate on predicted subscription figures for its flagship 50Mb service.

Virgin Media's 50Mb broadband product currently has a consumer base of around 70,000.