Virgin Media 50Mbps fibre broadband used in 118k homes

Virgin Media has revealed more than 118,000 UK households are now signed up to its 50Mbps fibre optic broadband package.

The figure, recorded in the fourth quarter of 2010, represents a rise of 29 per cent on the previous three-month period and is almost three times higher than the number recorded at the same time in 2009.

According to Virgin Media, the product was the fastest widely available broadband connection in the country until the launch of its 100Mbps proposition at the end of last year.

This "ultra-fast" service is available to more than 350,000 homes across the UK, having been rolled out to the communities of Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, Hatfield in Hertfordshire, Pentwyn in Cardiff, Southport in Merseyside and Treforest in Rhondda Cynon Taf last month.

Although it currently provides 100Mbps speeds, the equipment supplied with this broadband deal is capable of achieving maximum capacity of 400Mbps.

Availability will be extended across the Virgin Media network throughout 2011 and 2012.