Virgin Media bringing 100Mbps fibre broadband to Bishop's Stortford

Virgin Media has announced the Hertfordshire town of Bishop's Stortford will get access to its up to 100Mbps fibre optic broadband service in the coming months.

Jon James, the cable company's executive director of broadband, described the rollout of the service in Hertfordshire as a "significant milestone in the UK's broadband evolution".

"We know residents ... will be blown away by what 100Mbps can deliver and the very real impact this can have on day-to-day life," he was quoted by the Herts and Essex Observer as saying.

According to Virgin Media, subscribers will be able to download an entire music album in five seconds and a high-definition movie in around seven minutes.

Two other Hertfordshire towns - Hemel Hempstead and Watford - are also set to be connected to the ultra-fast service, with rollouts taking place this year and throughout 2012.

In July, Virgin revealed its up to 100Mbps service is available to more than a quarter of UK homes.