Virgin Media has officially expanded its gigabit broadband services to over 12,000 homes in Exmouth, marking another significant milestone for the company’s presence across the UK. The broadband upgrade enables residents to access high-speed internet, with offerings such as Gig2 broadband, which provides speeds of 2Gbps. This is 16 times faster than the local average internet speed, which hovers around 125Mbps according to Ofcom’s latest report.
With many households increasingly reliant on stable and fast internet connections for remote work, streaming high-definition television, video calls, and online gaming, this expansion couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Julie Agnew, Managing Director of Fixed Network Expansion at Virgin Media O2, expressed her enthusiasm about the service availability: "12,000 more homes in Exmouth can now feel the benefit of Virgin Media’s services – with packages... providing total peace of mind..."
The enhancement to the Exmouth area is facilitated through the infrastructure built by nexfibre, which has invested £4.5 billion to deliver high-speed fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connections not just to Exmouth, but eventually reaching up to five million homes across the UK by 2026. Rajiv Datta, CEO at nexfibre, emphasized the economic impact of this investment: "Nexfibre's multi-million pound investment... will enable thousands of households to access the benefits of full fibre broadband..."
This rollout means most households now have the choice between three gigabit-capable networks, including existing services from Openreach and AllPoints Fibre. Yet, there are still considerable areas within Exmouth lacking adequate internet service, which highlights the necessity of this expansion.
While previously the residents of Exmouth may have faced limitations with their broadband options, the arrival of Virgin Media's services heralds change. Families working from home can now participate more effectively, and children can engage with online educational tools seamlessly. Not to mention, the enhancement allows for uninterrupted streaming of movies and shows, significantly improving the overall entertainment experience.
This initiative is indicative of broader industry trends where investment partnerships are enabling advancements in digital infrastructure across the UK. The nexfibre joint venture aims not just to serve homes currently without Virgin Media’s network but also to significantly increase connectivity opportunities. The funding supporting this venture includes £3.3 billion of fully underwritten financing, with total equity contributions expected to reach £1.4 billion.
Virgin Media O2's aggressive investment strategy—approximately £2 billion annually—prioritizes network upgrades, leading to enhanced broadband offerings for consumers. Their commitment to coverage is evident, as the company also works on rolling out 5G services to bring mobile connectivity to even more areas.
For residents eager to explore options, Virgin Media is positioning itself as the choice for cutting-edge technology solutions, urging them to discover the perfect broadband package to suit their lifestyle. Meanwhile, current customers benefit from additional features, such as the Volt program. This initiative allows customers who subscribe to both Virgin Media broadband and O2 Pay Monthly plans to enjoy boosted speeds at no extra charge.
The overall aim is clear: transforming Exmouth’s broadband availability to provide ultrafast connectivity for everyone. Virgin Media, alongside nexfibre, has set its eyes on covering up to 23 million premises—approximately 80% of the UK—by the end of this decade. With such ambitious goals and the continued deployment of fibre networks, the future looks bright for Exmouth residents needing fast and reliable internet.
This expansion of Virgin Media’s gigabit broadband services not only supports today’s digital needs but also sets the stage for future technological advancements within the community, making Exmouth yet another hub for high-speed internet access.
Source: https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/virgin-media-expands-gigabit-broadband-to-12000-exmouth-homes-189228