Internet service provider Virgin Media is reportedly looking to launch a network of Wi-Fi hotspots in city centres across the country, with data transfer speeds of up to 5Mbps.
According to a Virgin Media spokesperson, the company is “actively exploring opportunities around Wi-Fi and speaking to a number of organisations, including local authorities, about this.”
With the number of smartphones and tablets on the market constantly on the up, mobile phone operators in the UK are struggling to meet their customers’ demand for 3G mobile Internet access, and many experts are now recommending public Wi-Fi as a solution.
Virgin claims its plan to launch public Wi-Fi hotspots is inspired by US cable firm Cablevision, which has provided thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots on the back of its network in New York.
“It takes the sheer power of the cable broadband network and puts it where people need it,” said Kevin Baughan, Virgin’s director of advanced technology, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Virgin’s plan is also seen as a move against BT’s Openzone, which already has 3,900 hotspots providing up to 8Mbps.
Gavin Patterson, CEO of BT Retail, told ISP Review that the company has added more than 780,000 hotspots across the UK in the past six months and will continue to do so, as “demand for wireless access is growing at a record rate”.
Unlike BT, Virgin’s hotspots will concentrate on city centres where there is sufficient demand.
“This isn’t about building broad coverage,” says Baughan, ” it’s about giving you fast, predictable, access where you need it”.
Once up and running, Virgin’s home broadband and mobile customers are likely to enjoy the Wi-Fi service free of charge. Others will have to sign up for a pay-as-you-go or subscription deal.
The company is also considering providing the service to whole communities via agreements with local councils.
The Wi-Fi hotspot network will work by placing broadband routers in secure public locations and connecting them to Virgin’s network kerbside green boxes.
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They cant even look after the customers they have.
Totally agree with the previous comment..If you are a new customer you get a far superior package than a longterm customer wishing to upgrade..Prices quoted to upgrade my broadband speed were off the the scale, nearly £80 upfront fee for router and activation fee.. The additional monthly fee around £9 i can live with but i hate being taken for granted.............
I sure i could plug in a router and save £45.00
the £30 for someone to throw a switch.... any jobs going?
I have used Virgin broadband for years I have no complaints it is very fast 10mb and it is thar and sometimes more I am a licenced radio amateur and us it a lot to connect to one of our many repeaters world wide and contact the international space station (ISS) I have in the past used others but there is nothing to compare with Virgin good luck look me up on qrz.com MM0DNX user name