Virgin Media says the use of new construction methods during an expansion of its network in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire paves the way for a faster rollout in future.
The cablenet has connected 1,600 additional premises to its network using a combination of methods. In addition to the more commonly used narrow trenching techniques, Virgin also installed new cables in existing underground ducts and used Openreach’s overhead telegraph poles to connect the area.
The scheme went from planning to delivery in just 4 months – far quicker than is normal for a project of this size – and was delivered with disruption and digging minimised for local residents.
“This latest engineering feat in Swadlincote demonstrates how Virgin Media is finding new ways to bring our ultrafast services to even more homes across the UK with minimal disruption,” said Hugh Woolford, Regional Director for Yorkshire and the East Midlands, Virgin Media.
It’s the first time that Virgin has combined the three engineering methods in one location to expand its network. The scheme was made possible by Ofcom’s physical infrastructure access (PIA) remedy which gives internet service companies access to Openreach’s duct and pole infrastructure.
The company will also continue to expand in the area, with the next phase of work set to begin in April 2021, and Swadlincote residents will soon benefit from Virgin Media’s gigabit broadband rollout which it is bringing to its entire network of 15 million homes by the end of 2021.
