Virgin Media has announced that residents of the Welsh village of Crumlin, Caerphilly, will be the first in the UK to trial ultrafast broadband delivered over existing electricity poles.
Following a landmark agreement with Surf Telecoms, a Western Power Distribution company, homes in the village will be connected directly to Virgin Media’s fibre optic network increasing local broadband speeds ten-fold.
As well as 50Mb broadband, villagers will be offered Virgin Media’s TV service. The trial will start next month and is scheduled to run into 2011.
The agreement with Surf Telecoms marks the first use of existing commercial infrastructure to aerially deliver ultrafast broadband to a community currently beyond the reach of a fibre optic network.
Jon James, executive director of broadband, 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 ultrafast 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.”
Councillor Ron Davies, Caerphilly Council’s cabinet member for regeneration said: “It’s great to see that one of our communities has become the first in the UK to benefit from next-generation surfing speeds. A few years ago the Caerphilly county borough was one of the first areas to receive full broadband coverage when we worked with BT, so it’s great to see that we are leading the way with this new technology once again.”
Local ward member Cllr Vera Jenkins added: “We are delighted that Crumlin has been selected to receive this exciting trial service and I hope the scheme will bring many benefits to businesses and residents in the village.”