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Virgin Media’s cable network currently covers more than 14 million properties in the UK
Virgin Media is considering opening up its full fibre networks to a host of internet service providers, in a move that would greatly expedite the roll out of ultrafast services across the UK.
A report in the Daily Telegraph suggests that Virgin Media’s parent company, Liberty Global, is considering whether to allow ISPs to access its networks for wholesale rates. Currently the UK’s ISP’s, such as Sky, rely entirely on Openreach’s fibre network. The report suggests that Sky’s senior management team has approached Virgin Media as it looks to increase its market reach.
Virgin Media’s cable networks cover approximately 50 per cent of UK households, reaching 14.4 million homes.
The move would mean Openreach would face competition on the wholesale side of its business for the first time.
The decision to offer wholesale rates to ISPs on its networks would dramatically alter Virgin Media’s business model in the UK, which currently relies on it having a monopoly on its ultrafast networks.
Virgin Media has embarked on its £3 billion Project Lightning which will see the company extend its reach to 17 million UK properties.
Richard Sinclair, executive director for connectivity at Virgin Media will be giving an update on the progress of Project Lightning, when he delivers his key note address at this year’s Connected Britain. Held from the 18th-19th June 2019, Connected Britain will bring together the key stakeholders from the UK’s fixed line and mobile connectivity spaces. Click here to find out how you can be part of the show.
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