Virgin Media is to open up its network of Superhubs to create a nationwide Wi-Fi network for customers on the go.
The service, dubbed Virgin Media WiFi, will use 20 Mbps of broadband within the Superhub that is over and above what the customer receives as part of their package. It mirrors similar services run by Liberty Global in the Netherlands, Belgium and other territories. It’s possible for customers to opt out of the provision if they wish.
A number of trials are already underway.
According to a customer mailing, Virgin Media WiFi will launch during 2016 and will be available everywhere from High Streets to airports. Customers will be able to locate their nearest hotspot through a dedicated app.
Until recently the only Wi-Fi available to Virgin Media customers has been on the London Underground, which went live in 2012.
This all changed with the introduction of the smart pavement in Chesham, though other more conventional hotspots can be expected.
Ziggo in the Netherland was one of the first to roll out a hot spot service based on routers in the customer’s homes as early as 2013. In October 2013, already over one million active hot spots were active on the cabler’s network. In the same month, UPC Nederland also launched a similar service.
