Virgin Media cranks DOCSIS 3.0 and 10 Mbps service

Virgin Media is migrating millions of its 2 Mbps broadband customers up to 10 Mbps speeds as it transitions its cable network over to DOCSIS 3.0. The new portfolio of products will allow users to upgrade to 20 or 50 Mbps service.

Positioned against ADSL competitors, the Virgin broadband service will cost about $20.33 when bundled with a Virgin Phone line. UK ADSL providers are offering service at around $43.57 at lesser speeds; BT's "up to 8 Mbps" service has been typically clocked at 3.4 Mbps, with others falling between 1.2 to 2.5 Mbps.

Virgin is touting the migration of its customers from 2 Mbps to 10 Mbps service as the largest-scale speed upgrade ever to take place in the U.K. and is part of a long-term plan to keep the company ahead of its competition and in the favor of the Government's Digital Britain policy.

In total, Virgin Media has almost 10 million customers, and its broadband network passes just more than half of all the homes in the UK. The company also delivers landline, TV and mobile services, so it boasts of offering a true "quad play."

For more:
- Virgin Media press release

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