Minister for Communications, Denis Naughten TD marks historic milestone for Virgin Media Ireland in Arklow, Co. Wicklow

 

Virgin Media, Ireland’s fastest broadband and in-home WiFi provider is today announcing that they have officially passed 900,000 premises with their ultrafast fibre broadband network.

 

Over the past two years, Virgin Media has added 100,000 new homes and businesses to its network map in Ireland, and is on target to reach the 1 million milestone over the next 2 years.

 

Minister for Communications, Denis Naughten TD made the milestone announcement today with Tony Hanway, CEO of Virgin Media, in Arklow where the landmark 900,000 premises was passed, following Virgin Media’s addition of over 9,000 premises to its network in both Arklow and Wicklow town.

 

The specific build in Arklow and Wicklow has involved a €10 million local investment in Virgin Media’s high capacity network in the towns including the laying of some 75 kilometers of fibre and the establishment of free public WiFi services in each town.

 

The announcement forms part of Virgin Media’s Project Lightning, which is the single biggest private investment in digital infrastructure in Ireland and the UK in more than a decade, delivering ultrafast fibre broadband to an additional 4 million premises across both countries, to reach a total of 17 million homes and businesses. The total investment being made by Virgin Media’s Project Lightning is the equivalent of approximately €3.42Bn (£3Bn) over the term of the programme.

 

Over the past decade, Virgin Media’s parent company, Liberty Global has invested over €1Bn in its Irish operations and next generation network infrastructure.  Its current investment programme Project Lightning is delivering a network that is future proofed to bring a host of new services to homes and businesses in the years ahead including high quality gigabit internet speeds.

 

Minister for Communications, Denis Naughten TD said:

 

“I welcome this significant announcement of 900,000 premises passed by Virgin Media and its  continuing commitment to invest even further in Ireland’s high speed broadband infrastructure. Broadband is an essential service   for our society and economic growth  and Virgin Media has been at the forefront of fibre broadband investments in Ireland.  This investment is helping us to address our European digital agenda targets, stimulate healthy competition in the sector while  benefiting families,  customers  and businesses in towns and cities throughout the country.”

 

Tony Hanway, CEO of Virgin Media said:

 

“We’re proud to be bringing Ireland’s fastest broadband network to more homes and businesses than ever, with 900,000 premises now on our network map and more to follow over the next two years. Project Lightning is our ongoing commitment to Ireland, connecting towns,  cities, consumers and businesses with ultrafast services and enabling digital progress, productivity and economic growth in the process.

 

“The multi-million euro investment we have made in Arklow and Wicklow town brings Ireland’s fastest broadband network to these two vibrant and growing towns. Households connecting to Virgin Media will benefit from Ireland’s fastest broadband and in-home WiFi, with speeds reaching 360Mbps. There will also be a boost for the local economy as businesses will be able to access speeds of up to 10Gbps or more, meaning they can go about their day-to-day work and grow their enterprises with confidence in having great digital connectivity.”

 

Virgin Media is Ireland’s best connected entertainment provider. Underpinned by ultrafast broadband, this means the best Digital TV, including all the channels that people love such as Netflix, YouTube, TV on the go with Virgin TV Anywhere, Multiple Channel Recording, Box Sets and Virgin Media Exclusives, in addition to phone and mobile services.

 

Welcoming Virgin Media’s announcement that it has passed the 900,000 homes mark as part of its Project Lightning network expansion, Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, said he was delighted that Arklow had been chosen for such an important statement.  “Arklow is on the up after years of unemployment and economic stagnation,” he stated highlighting Virgin Media’s significant investment in County Wicklow, including free public Wi-Fi on Arklow’s Main Street.

 

ENDS

 

Media Contact: Anna-Maria Barry, Virgin Media M: (086) 227 2072

 

About Virgin Media

 

Virgin Media is known for challenging the status quo – taking on industry giants, championing people and simply delivering extraordinary products and services.

 

We help create a digital world that makes good things happen: for our customers and the communities in which we operate.   Our multi award-winning services: broadband, TV, mobile and home phone connect thousands of people across Ireland.  But we’re not finished, we’re extending our network reach so that more communities and enjoy the benefits of the fastest widely available broadband speeds from only one provider in Ireland.

 

Virgin Media acquired TV3 and UTV Ireland which now operates under the TV3 Group to become Ireland’s number one commercial broadcaster.  As Ireland’s number one commercial broadcaster, TV3 operates three free-to-air channels - TV3, 3e and Be3 and is a significant investor in home produced content – across news, current affairs and drama. 

 

Through Virgin Media Business, we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest speeds and tailor-made services.

 

Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, the world’s largest international cable company, with operations in more than 30 countries.

 

For further information please visit: www.virginmedia.ie