Virgin Media and Surf Telecoms to trial ultrafast broadband over electricity poles

The rural community of Crumlin, in Caerphilly Wales, is all set to enjoy high-speed broadband services if a trial in the village proves successful. The project is a partnership between Virgin Media and power company Surf Telecoms and aims to distribute fibre-optic broadband over electricity poles in the area.

This is the first time an existing commercial infrastructure has been used to trial the aerial deployment route and, according to Virgin Media, more than one million homes could end up benefitting from the intriguing new approach. The deal with Surf Telecoms, which is a Western Power Distribution-owned company, will mean that homes will have a direct connection to the Virgin Media network.

In an area where previously the only real alternative was BT's copper-wire infrastructure, the new service could provide consumers with a ten-fold speed increase, with up to 50Mb broadband being available. Alongside that there will be the usual array of Virgin Media TV programming, including catch-up and on-demand services. The trial is due to start next month and will run into 2011.

Virgin Media has already been trialling another aerial deployment in the Berkshire village of Woolhampton in March of this year, although that utilised a purpose-built infrastructure. 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.”

Richard Double, Design and Policy Manager, Surf Telecoms, said: “Western Power Distribution’s electricity infrastructure reaches over 2.5 million homes across South West England and South and West Wales and, with this trial, we’re exploring an innovative new approach that could bring ultrafast broadband to many customers for the first time. The possibilities of aerial deployment promise a valuable use of existing infrastructure and an interesting new commercial opportunity for utility companies. We’re pleased to be at the forefront of this innovation.”

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