Virgin Media to roll out 120Mbps fibre broadband

Virgin Media will roll out fibre optic broadband download rates of up to 120Mbps as part of a newly-announced boost to its current speeds.

The cable company's up to 10Mbps, 20Mbps, 30Mbps and 50Mbps services will all at least double in speed as a result of the upgrade programme, while its top-tier 100Mbps package will rise to 120Mbps.

Work on the speed boost is due to get underway in February and is scheduled to finish within 18 months.

The news has been welcomed by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who said faster broadband is "great" for customers and businesses.

"Virgin Media's plans to double broadband speeds are really exciting and we applaud their ambition," he added.

Record growth for the internet service provider's super-fast broadband packages was recorded in the three months to September 30th 2011, when 54 per cent of new customers chose to sign up for speeds of 30Mbps or higher.

More than one million households are subscribed to speeds of at least 20Mbps from Virgin Media.