11,000 premises in Carrickfergus given ultrafast broadband boost

Virgin Media has completed the rollout of its ultrafast broadband network in Carrickfergus which will provide more than 11,000 local residents and businesses with the fastest widely available speeds in the UK.

As part of its ‘Project Lightning’ network expansion programme, Virgin Media is expanding its ultrafast broadband network across Northern Ireland, bringing average top speeds of 516Mbps to residents and small businesses.

This will help transform the quality of broadband in the area where the average (median) download speed is 30.4Mbps*.

Carrickfergus will benefit from fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology which allows for smooth, reliable connectivity in the home. With a 516Mbps connection, files, films and games become unbelievably quick to stream, download and upload:

Download a standard HD movie file (5GB) in less than a minute and a half, compared to more than 23 minutes on the average local connection;

Download a 25GB console game in seven minutes, compared to nearly two hours on the average local connection**

Virgin Media has invested more than £65 million in Northern Ireland since 2015, connecting more than 100,000 homes and businesses to its ultrafast, gigabit-capable network that provides the UK’s fastest widely available broadband speeds.

The company already has a large presence in Northern Ireland with its network passing more than 320,000 premises. In Belfast alone, 98% of the city is connected to Virgin Media’s network.

Residents and businesses in Bangor, Newtownards, Portadown, Craigavon, Ballyclare, Comber, Derry, Maghermason and Eglinton have all also been connected to Virgin Media’s ultrafast network in recent years.

Seamus McCorry, Regional Director for Northern Ireland at Virgin Media, said: “We are delighted to have completed our network expansion in Carrickfergus. Our ultrafast broadband speeds will give residents and businesses access to the UK’s fastest widely available network which will enable them to get on and do things more quickly and more easily.”

Anne Donaghy, Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, said: “This new availability in Carrickfergus will build upon our existing broadband capabilities and help improve the digital connectivity throughout the area. This is a great economic and social boost for those living and working in and around the town.”

For those interested in Virgin Media’s services, they can go to www.virginmedia.com