Welsh trial of Virgin ultra-fast broadband over electricity lines

Virgin Media has announced a trial of ultra-fast broadband via electricity lines, which will reach out and bring next-generation surfing speeds to the rural village of Crumlin, Caerphilly.

Virgin will literally run the cable via electricity poles rather than underground in an “aerial deployment”.

The company has already trialled the aerial deployment of cable in Woolhampton, Berkshire, although that was using specially built infrastructure. An agreement with Surf Telecoms, a Western Power Distribution company, to use the electric lines marks the first time existing commercial infrastructure has been used for ultra-fast broadband.

Virgin hopes that such non-traditional methods of fibre delivery may help to accelerate the delivery of next-gen broadband across the UK, particularly to broadband “not-spots” in out of the way rural areas.

Crumlin residents will enjoy 50Mbps broadband, as well as Virgin Media’s TV service, when the trial begins next month. It will run until next year.

Jon James, Executive Director of Broadband at Virgin Media, said: “We’re already bringing broadband speeds of up to 50Mb and, soon 100Mb, to over half of all UK homes and are pushing the boundaries to ensure that homes right across the UK benefit from ultra-fast broadband.”

“Working in partnership with companies like Surf Telecoms, we can more rapidly and efficiently expand the reach of fibre optic networks to towns, villages and communities right across the UK.”

Virgin Media plans to roll out its 100Mbps service later this year.