Virgin Media sets up innovation lab for superfast broadband

The broadband speed race is on. Various Internet service providers are scrambling to upgrade and set up their infrastructure and networks in order to be able to provide the fastest speeds to their subscribers. BT Broadband has stepped up their game, making headlines week after week as they upgraded the networks in various areas in the UK. Just this week, the broadband giant revealed that they the broadband speeds in Somerset will be doubled, while Devon’s broadband network received an upgrade to enable users to browse the Internet, stream media, and do other activities online at faster speeds.

Not one to be outdone, Virgin Media has also announced that they are working on upgrading their broadband networks as well. In early November, the operator revealed that they are now offering 100Mb broadband connections to a third of the UK. Virgin had been rolling out fibre optic broadband since early this year and plans to complete the project by mid-2012. By then, an additional four million homes will have access to superfast broadband speeds.

Jon James, Virgin Media’s executive director of broadband, had stated: “We’re very proud to reach another significant milestone in our broadband history as we play a leading part in the development of the UK’s next generation infrastructure.”

In line with their quest to provide the faster broadband speeds to their users, Virgin Media has announced that the creation of a new innovation lab to come up with new products and services for superfast broadband. The broadband firm will be working hand in hand with London’s ‘Silicon Roundabout’ startup incubator in this project.

The plan is to have members from TheCube develop and try out new products and services that will be delivered via superfast broadband networks. This will include “next generation digital entertainment, mobile and business services.”

Virgin Media stated: “The collaboration aims to push superfast connectivity to its limits with new applications and services, make the most of Virgin Media’s new TiVo Service and its innovative apps line-up, develop ground-breaking consumer mobile platforms, and new propositions that will enable organisations across the UK to innovate and grow.”

The first project of the innovation lab will involve on conducting a trial of Virgin Media Business’s business-grade Internet connection. Of the project, Virgin Media added: “The trial will run throughout the next year and is provided to TheCube free of charge. During this time, the incubator will explore a range of commercial models and package the service so its users can benefit from superfast and dedicated Internet connections without the need for long-term contracts.”

Director of Advanced Technology and Innovation at Virgin Media, Dale Barnes, stated: “The start-up community has a lot to offer British businesses and, with technology and innovation at its heart, our partnership with TheCube gives us a fresh, informed and alternative point of view on how to take our products and services forward.”

Source – eWeek Europe