Virgin Media launches 'gigabit' broadband service to 500,000 homes in Leeds

Virgin Media has switched on Leeds and Bradford’s 'fastest gigabit home broadband' - claiming to offer connectivity more than 28 times faster than the current local averages.
By Daniel Sheridan
Published 5th Aug 2020, 06:00 GMT
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Around half a million homes in and around the city can now benefit from Virgin Media’s next-generation Gig1 broadband which offers average download speeds of 1,140Mbps.

The major broadband boost – which is available to people living in Seacroft, Bramhope, Harewood, as well as Shipley, Bingley and Ilkley - is part of the company’s plan to bring gigabit speeds to more than 15 million homes across its entire network by the end of 2021.

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Currently, a quarter of premises passed by Virgin Media’s network (3.6 million) have access to gigabit speeds which makes Virgin Media the UK’s largest gigabit provider.

Virgin Media engineer James Crosby and Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Councils deputy leader and executive member for resources, outside Leeds Civic Hall to mark the launch of Virgin Medias Gig1 broadband being made available to homes across the city. Credit: VirginMedia/JeremyKellyVirgin Media engineer James Crosby and Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Councils deputy leader and executive member for resources, outside Leeds Civic Hall to mark the launch of Virgin Medias Gig1 broadband being made available to homes across the city. Credit: VirginMedia/JeremyKelly
Virgin Media engineer James Crosby and Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Councils deputy leader and executive member for resources, outside Leeds Civic Hall to mark the launch of Virgin Medias Gig1 broadband being made available to homes across the city. Credit: VirginMedia/JeremyKelly

The Government has set a target for all UK premises to have access to gigabit speeds by 2025.

Jeff Dodds, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media, said: “Leeds and Bradford are the next locations to benefit from our next-generation Gig1 broadband service.

“Whether people are working from home, learning online, video calling friends and family, or binging on a box set in 4K, with hyperfast speeds more than 24 and 28 times faster than the average broadband connection in both cities, Gig1 means they can do everything they want online, at the same time, without delay.

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“Whatever the future holds, we’re connecting our customers to what’s next.”

Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources, said: “Making sure that people in Leeds are able to take advantage of high quality broadband is very important to Leeds City Council. We welcome this announcement from Virgin which helps to build towards our ambition that every home and business across the district is able to access gigabit capable services.

“At a time when we have seen just how important it is that people are able to get online and access services digitally we will continue to work with the industry to promote external investment in Leeds.”

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Thank you

Laura Collins

Related topics:Virgin MediaLeedsBradfordJames LewisGovernment