Virgin Media extends fibre broadband network to data centres

Virgin Media Business will utilise its fibre optic broadband infrastructure to offer communications services to data centres across the UK.

The move will enable the storage facilities to deliver connectivity to users at speeds of up to ten Gbps, with each interconnect capable of handling as many as 8,000 customers.

Executive director for commercial operations at the business broadband provider Andrew McGrath claimed data centres are under increasing pressure as a result of the growing popularity of cloud computing.

This is demonstrated by a recent study from the International Data Corporation, which predicted total global spending on cloud systems management software will reach $2.5 billion (£1.5 billion) by 2015.

Despite these demands, Mr McGrath insisted the Virgin Media network is "easily able to cope", having benefited from approximately £13 billion of investment since it was launched.

"IT managers can have peace of mind that their network is secure and can handle all the data that's thrown at it," he commented.