Virgin Media seems likely to join the likes of BT Openzone, T-Mobile and The Cloud by launching its own UK-wide Wi-Fi network. The company is reportedly plotting a network of “tens of thousands” of hotspots, each one linked to its super fast fibre optic cable system.
Virgin Media is apparently taking its inspiration from US cable network Cablevision, which has installed public Wi-Fi in New York City. A Virgin spokesman recently praised Cablevision’s network, saying that it “takes the sheer power of the cable broadband network and puts it where people need it.”
Virgin’s system would see broadband routers placed in secure public locations and hooked up to the network’s green kerbside boxes. It will reportedly deliver 5Mbps download speeds, and perhaps most interestingly, will be focussed on providing fast coverage in specific areas rather than blanketing the whole country with slow, unreliable Wi-Fi: “This isn’t about building broad coverage, it’s about giving you fast, predictable access where you need it.”
It’s still early days for Virgin Media’s Wi-Fi network, so we don’t have any confirmation on costs, but the firm is rumoured to be mulling over the possibility of making access free to existing Virgin Media home broadband and mobile phone customers. Others would access it via a subscription or pay as you go model.
Virgin Media (via The Telegraph)
