- Full fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology with average top speeds of 516Mbps
- Virgin Media’s broadband speeds nearly 13 times faster than the local averages
- 4K movies and computer games downloaded in minutes
- Virgin Media’s Oomph bundles offer the complete entertainment experience
Virgin Media has completed the rollout of its ultrafast broadband network in Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, which will bring the UK’s fastest widely available speeds in the UK to more than 4,500 homes and businesses.
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.
This will help transform the quality of broadband in Houghton-le-Spring, including the surrounding areas of Shiney Row and Penshaw, where the average (median) download speed is 40Mbps*.
Residents will benefit from fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology which allows for smooth, reliable connectivity in the home. With a 516Mbps connection, files, films and games become unbelievably quick to stream, download and upload:
- Download a standard HD movie file (5GB) in two minutes, compared to nearly 18 minutes on the average local connection;
- Download a 25GB console game in 10 minutes, compared to nearly an hour and a half on the average local connection**
Hugh Woolford, Regional Director for North East and Yorkshire, England, at Virgin Media, said: “We’re delighted to have finished our expansion works Houghton-le-Spring. We’ve greatly valued the support and cooperation from Sunderland City Council as we have expanded our network. Now more than 4,500 homes and businesses have access to our ultrafast broadband services. Better connectivity means better browsing, streaming, gaming and all the other things we love to do online.”
Patrick Melia, Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted to see Virgin Media expanding its ultrafast broadband into the Houghton, Shiney Row and Penshaw areas of the city. It’s fantastic news coming as it does on the back of our own announcement that Sunderland is leading the way as the first city in the UK to deploy 5G ready Wi-Fi, bolstering the city’s reputation as a digital leader.****
“Faster broadband speeds will make an immeasurable difference to the lives of both local businesses and local people, as well as supporting our digital aspirations as a city.”
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. This includes broadband that’s faster than standard packages and a data-rich 4G mobile SIM on a network that’s faster on average than Vodafone, 02, Three and Sky.
It’s better value for customers to take cable and mobile services together in an Oomph package from Virgin Media rather than taking them separately.
With the Ultimate Oomph bundle, customers can enjoy the ultimate entertainment and connectivity experience at home or on the move.
This includes the UK’s fastest widely available broadband with average top speeds of 516Mbps – seven times faster than BT and Sky – as well as a mobile SIM with truly unlimited data, texts and calls.
Plus, there’s brilliant TV with two of Virgin TV’s latest V6 set-top boxes complete with more than 280 channels including Sky Sports HD, Sky Cinema HD and BT Sport in 4K Ultra HD, as well as inclusive anytime landline calls.
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
*The average (median) broadband speed in Sunderland is 40Mbps. Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations Report 2019, published 20 December 2019.
** Download speeds calculated using www.download-time.com
About Virgin Media
Virgin Media offers four multi award-winning services across the UK and Ireland: broadband, TV, mobile phone and landline.
Our dedicated, ultrafast network delivers the fastest widely-available broadband speeds to homes and businesses and we’re expanding this through our Project Lightning programme, which could extend our network to up to 17 million premises.
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 and Ireland.
Through Virgin Media Business we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest widely available broadband speeds and tailor-made services.
Virgin Media 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
press enquiries
press enquiries