This week, Virgin Media announced it will be rollout a superfast 100MB broadband network across the UK from December. Michael Phillips, product director at broadbandchoices, explains why these speeds need to become the norm if the UK is to keep up with modern demands on digital media.
Virgin Media’s new 100Mb connection really lays down the gauntlet for providers that are still relying on non-cable connections, which are currently limited to around 20Mb.
With the laptop increasingly becoming the second and third television set in the home and with usage of TV services such as iPlayer doubling year on year, superfast internet connections are increasingly necessary to deliver speeds that support these usage habits.
The proliferation of HD content on sites such as YouTube and iPlayer means there is more need than ever before for superfast internet connections capable of HD streaming. True HD (1080p) streaming, whilst not yet readily available, requires a connection of upwards of 10Mb; with one child on the Xbox and Mum and Dad downloading films, Virgin Media’s connection of 100Mb will in time become less of a luxury and more of a standard for modern UK families.
Whilst Virgin Media’s new 100Mb product will come with a justifiably high price tag, it will be interesting to see whether the British public will be tempted away from their compulsion for cheap deals. As it currently stands, only a small proportion of Virgin Media’s 4 million broadband customers have signed up to their 50Mb service.
There’s no doubt today’s announcement is exciting for consumers wanting super-fast broadband services but this launch is also a clear move by Virgin Media to ensure that it remains synonymous with delivering the fastest available broadband service amongst its ISP peers.
By Michael Phillips
Product Director
www.Broadbandchoices.co.uk