Virgin Media Expands Network In Glasgow
Virgin Media expands reach of cable network in Scottish city and will provide digital skills lessons as part of Commonwealth Games legacy
Virgin Media is to expand its superfast broadband network to 5,000 more homes in Glasgow as part of the legacy commitments the company made during its involvement in the 2014 Commonwealth Games earlier this year.
Properties in Cumbernauld, Duntocher, Barrhead and Uddingston will soon be able to access broadband of up to 152Mbps, alongside other Virgin Media services, by the end of this month.
A team of 50 “digital coaches” will also be created and will help teach sport-inspired digital skills to 1,500 people in hard-to-reach areas of the city using tablets and other training materials.
Virgin Media Glasgow
It is hoped the combination of superfast broadband and digital skills lessons will help narrow the digital divide in Glasgow, where 40 percent of people are yet to go online. Of these, 62 percent say they need training to properly use a computer, 47 percent need web training and 14 percent need access to a low cost computer and/or a low cost connection.
“Extending our network across the region means thousands more families will benefit from the UK’s fastest widely available broadband for the first time,” says Tom Mockridge, Virgin Media CEO. “We are proud to be supercharging Glasgow, helping build an exciting digital future for the city.”
“We want everyone to be included in the digital age, whether that’s young people looking to be the next Bill Gates, developers of video games, or older people getting online to communicate with friends and family, no-one should be left behind,” adds Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council. “I’m delighted that Virgin Media is investing in the city’s digital future and bringing superfast broadband to more homes in Glasgow.”
The rollout is the latest expansion to Virgin Media’s network, with significant upgrades happening in North East England and East London. The company has 4.2 million broadband customers in the UK, with half receiving 50Mbps or faster, while it also recently refreshed its range of SMB plans in a bid to tempt more small businesses to its cable network.
