British cableco Virgin Media has announced that some 50,000 homes and businesses in Nottingham will receive ultrafast internet connectivity as part of its commitment to invest GBP25 million (USD38 million) in connecting premises in the area. Virgin Media noted that the investment is part of its ongoing GBP3 billion programme under which it aims to connect some four million UK homes and businesses over the course of the next five years. The cableco’s announcement covers premises in the NG postcode, which includes Nottingham city centre, suburbs and surrounding towns such as Mansfield, Newark-upon-Trent and Grantham, while it has said it will connect premises prioritised according to demand from consumers and businesses.
With the cableco claiming to have already earmarked access to ‘ultrafast’ broadband for more than 250,000 premises in Manchester, Leeds and now Nottingham, it has said it will announce investment plans for more cities ‘soon’. Tom Mockridge, Virgin Media’s chief executive officer, noted: ‘The early interest from homeowners, businesses and Nottingham City Council has been instrumental in Virgin Media being able to fast track our network expansion plans in the area.’