Virgin Media Blogs

Friday, March 12th 2010

Fibre optic broadband
has become a buzzword for the internet industry in recent times and one of the big problems dominating the area is how the networks can be provided to the most remote areas.

Bodies such as the Country Land and Business Association have worked long and hard to campaign over ensuring high-speed internet can be offered to everyone, as many locations lack the infrastructure to cope with such demand.

However, firms have been hard at work to tackle the problem, with BT launching a new fixed line solution designed to deliver stable broadband over larger areas. Now Virgin Media has got in on the act, as it looks to provide 50Mbps broadband via telegraph poles.

Monday, March 8th 2010

As well as working to provide faster broadband connections to consumers across the UK, both BT and Virgin Media are regularly working to expand their digital TV offerings.

The past week has seen both add new channels to their services, which could prove key to consumers when they look to switch deals.

Virgin Media is set to add high-definition (HD) version of the E4 and Film4 channels to its offerings in the coming months. The introduction of Film4 HD this summer is also an exclusive for the company, meaning movie fans looking for the best in British and US film-making could benefit.

Wednesday, March 3rd 2010

When it comes to broadband speeds, no one could deny that Virgin Media has had a major hand in upping the UK average. The company has a long history of topping speed tests and has continued the trend this month in the latest Cable.co.uk figures for February.

With an average speed of 8.4Mbps, Virgin Media is comfortably setting the pace when it comes to connections, with rival bundle provider Sky lagging behind by a whole 1Mbps.

Orange came third with an average connection speed of 6Mbps, while O2 and Be's shared infrastructure generated a figure of 5.6Mbps.

BT completed the top five with an average of 4.1Mbps, but there is little doubt where the power lies when it comes to speed in the UK.

Tuesday, March 2nd 2010

As winter seemingly refuses to go away, parents may still be looking for something to keep their little ones quiet while they remain stuck indoors. Fortunately, Virgin Media's latest digital TV offerings could offer some benefits.

The broadband bundle provider has added a range of child-friendly content to its broadcast service, most notably the first two series of Miley Cyrus's hit show Hannah Montana. Fans of teen star also have the chance to enjoy hits from her Live in London concert, as well as movies including Dadnapped! Hannah Montana.

Kids also have the chance to enjoy magical family firm Nanny McPhee in high definition on the PictureBox service from March 26th.

Friday, February 26th 2010

When it comes to fibre optic broadband in the UK, Virgin Media has always appeared to be one step ahead of the rest of the market. While BT has just launched its Infinity platform offering speeds of up to 40Mbps, its rival is already aiming higher.

The company has announced plans to begin the introduction of a 100Mbps broadband service, the fastest commercial product in the UK, by the end of 2010. A new flagship product for the firm, it has been created for people who want the best quality service possible.

Virgin Media stated that the move would mean it has increased its top broadband tier from 20Mbps to 100Mbps in less than two years.

Tuesday, February 23rd 2010

When Virgin Media announced the launch of its new fibre optic broadband service for businesses, it claimed that the only plan it has is to provide a clear alternative to rival BT. The revamped version of ntl:Telewest Business will run from 40 offices across the UK and hopes are high that it could enjoy major growth over the next few years.

However, what does the rest of the market think of the proposals? And is it likely that the company's plans will succeed?

Talking to CRN, Paul Lawton, managing director of Opal, said the move represented "nothing more than a rebrand".

He added: "Ntl is recognised as an established provider of networks.

Monday, February 22nd 2010

It seems that Virgin Media's offer of fibre optic broadband, home phone and digital TV services is proving irresistible to many Brits, if reports on the company's latest trading results are anything to go by.

The Daily Telegraph has revealed the company will announce later this week that 14,000 new customers signed up to its services in the fourth quarter of 2009, which helped to raise total revenues to £963 million.

However, could there be better things to come? The company is reportedly close to agreeing new deals with record labels such as Sony, Warner and EMI, which will see content from the firms added to its forthcoming music download service.

Monday, February 15th 2010

Over the last few years Virgin Media has proven itself as a serious contender in both the fibre optic broadband and digital TV industry. However, has the company's latest jibe against BT put such progress in jeopardy?

The decision to get 13 models to stand outside BT Tower displaying a mocking message about the quality of its rival's connection speeds seems a bit cheap, particularly as it was spelt out on the groups' behinds.

Is this the right way for such a company to act? Well, Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media, suggested there was a message behind the tabloid-esque 'cheek'.

Thursday, February 11th 2010

A number of options are available to businesses looking to take up broadband services, but Virgin Media is set to crash the party with its own revamped offering.

Virgin Media Business, which was formerly known as ntl:Telewest Business, has been established to allow the company to expand its fibre optic broadband services out of the consumer market.

One of the competitors that Virgin Media is looking to take on with this service is BT, which launched its own new business broadband platform at the end of last month.

Virgin Media has claimed it is upping investment in its network and creating new functions, which will make its own business offering a "clear alternative" to its broadband rival.

Friday, February 5th 2010

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and broadband and digital TV provider Virgin Media is giving couples the chance to get their hands on a range of romantic entertainment.

With many restaurants and hotels hiking up their prices around February 14th, and most places being packed with other couples, a cosy night in, in front of a rom-com could be the ideal way to enjoy a low-key Valentine's Day.

Virgin Media's on-demand service will be showing a number of romantically-themed TV episodes and films over the coming weeks, including Head Over Heels, Love Actually and episodes of Gossip Girl, Friends and ER.

Tuesday, February 2nd 2010

While all of the recent fuss in the digital TV world has been about Sky's 3D channel, Virgin Media has issued a timely reminder to consumers that its own broadcast platform still exists and can offer them benefits.

The company, which also specialises in fibre optic broadband and home phone services, has revealed that its on-demand platform enjoyed a record-breaking 2009, with over 750 million views.

Over 59 per cent of the firm's 3.7 million TV customers are now regularly using the service to catch up on programmes from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Living.

In addition, the service racked up 76 million views in December alone, which suggests things can only get better for the company in 2010.

Friday, January 22nd 2010

When it comes to household fibre optic broadband services, few companies have really had an impact to rival Virgin Media. The company's high-speed connections - which offer the fastest connection speeds in the UK - have marked the company out from other providers for several years, but it looks like all that could soon change.

BT's announcement of pricing details for its own fibre optic broadband service are likely to catch the eye of many, but will the so-called Infinity platform really become a strong rival to Virgin Media's offerings? It's early to say, but the initial signs are pretty good.

Wednesday, January 20th 2010

Despite being first announced in June last year, fibre optic cable broadband provider Virgin Media's eagerly anticipated music download service finally looks set to surface this year. According to Marketing magazine, the platform – which has been rather intriguingly named MusicFish – is expected to be online by the start of July.

The world of music downloads is complicated place at present, with a range of companies vying for the attentions of consumers.

While iTunes is arguably the most popular service, Virgin Media rival Sky also entered the sector towards the end of last year with an unlimited streaming and download platform.

Thursday, January 14th 2010

Virgin Media's range of digital TV, broadband and home phone services are proving popular with consumers, according to new research from Cable.co.uk.

The comparison website has revealed that two of the fibre optic cable broadband providers' leading packages have been the most popular deals among its consumers in recent times.

So why are the deals proving so popular? One of the deals is the company's Best Value Bundle, which is available for £18 a month and includes 10Mbps broadband, home phone and digital TV services featuring up to 60 channels such as Sky 1, Living and Bravo.

Cable.co.

Friday, December 11th 2009

A few eyebrows were raised in June this year when Virgin Media revealed plans to not only launch a music subscription platform, but also allow top-level subscribers to stream and download as many of their favourite tunes as they want.

Based originally on an agreement with Universal Music, the company has spent the best part of six months attempting to push the service forward by agreeing access to music catalogues with other record labels.

However, reports have emerged this week questioning whether the dream is set to actually become a reality.

According to New Media Age, some major labels are not too keen on the idea of unlimited access, so progress on that front could prove to be a stumbling block.