Virgin Media’s network expanded to bring ultrafast connectivity to half of all premises in Northern Ireland

• Virgin Media’s Project Lightning programme has now connected more than 150,000 homes and businesses in Northern Ireland

• More than £100m investment in Northern Ireland since 2015 brings ultrafast broadband to more than 375,000 premises in the Province
• Gigabit broadband for all homes by the end of 2021
• Virgin Media Business is building a full fibre network to connect sites across Belfast

Virgin Media’s Project Lightning programme has now connected more than 150,000 homes and businesses to its ultrafast broadband network in Northern Ireland.

The operator is continuing to expand its network, which provides average broadband speeds of 516Mbps as well as TV and phone services, with around half of all homes and businesses in Northern Ireland now connected.

This investment has brought life-changing connectivity to 30 towns and villages such as Belfast, Bangor, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Craigavon, Lurgan, New Buildings, Portadown, Magheramason, Sion Mills, Templepatrick and many others.

Virgin Media will soon be ramping up its broadband speeds in Northern Ireland after it committed to introducing gigabit connectivity to its entire footprint by the end of 2021. This next-generation connectivity will boost Northern Ireland’s digital infrastructure and aid its digital and creative sectors.

Virgin Media’s multi-million-pound investment in Northern Ireland

To date, Virgin Media has invested more than £100m in Northern Ireland and recently opened a new, state-of-the-art office in Belfast which houses the majority of the company’s 350 employees in the country.

In 2019, Virgin Media won a major contract with Belfast City Council after bidding to expand the local full fibre network in the region with public services, businesses and residents all set to benefit.

The multi-million pound contract will connect vital public service buildings across Belfast as well as creating new opportunities to bring Virgin Media’s ultrafast, gigabit-capable network to more businesses and residents.

Seamus McCorry, Regional Director for Northern Ireland at Virgin Media, said: “We’re expanding our gigabit-capable network in Northern Ireland so that more homes, businesses and public sector organisations can benefit from our ultrafast, reliable and resilient network.

“Our investment is benefitting citizens right across the province and laying the digital foundations that will continue to support growth and drive forward Northern Ireland’s digital agenda.”