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Cable broadband provides internet access via cable network (usually laid underground). In UK, cable broadband is offered by Virgin Media and its cable network has a coverage of over 60 percent of areas across UK. If you live in cities, you will probably get its cable broadband without any difficulty. As for other areas, you need to check the availability of Virgin Media services in your area.
Cable broadband providers like Virgin Media uses its cable network to deliver broadband, television channels, home phone service and even mobile service. Generally, coaxial or fibre cables are used to connect the users and a set-top box with in-built cable modem. Likewise a separate modem can also be used to provide broadband connection. Speeds on the cable internet are significantly better than ADSL lines thus ensuring more reliable connection.
In place of coaxial cable, if optic fibre wire is used, cable broadband can offer over 100 Mbps download speed. Deployment of fibre material, widely known as FTTP or FTTH, optic fibre network is in intial stage and yet to spread in UK.
Virgin Media
Virgin Media was formed in 2006 after the merger of NTL and Telewest. The cable ISP has revamped its broadband pacakges last year and currently, offers high speed broadband pacakges (as Virgin Media size XL) with download speeds up to 24 Mbps. As for its TV services, Virgin Media not only offers cheaper broadband & TV bundles but also offers a wide range of TV programmes, on-demand videos and live sport channels to its customers. In fact, Virgin Media is one the ISPs that offer excellent range of broadband packages that can suit various needs of individuals, families and even businesses.
According to the latest quarterly results from Virgin Media, the cable ISP has more than 3.5 million broadband connections across UK. As cable broadband is widely used in households, Virgin Media is the largest home broadband provider while BT is the largest UK ISP in terms of broadband subscriptions that also includes its business broadband customers.
Features of cable broadband
Higher connection speeds
Cable broadband can offer higher speeds than ADSL broadband as it uses fibre-optic cables which are capable of sending data much faster rate. In contrast, most ADSL lines in UK uses copper wires that often suffer from poor line quality. With ADSL broadband, the best speeds are achieved when you are nearer to the exchange. Although, ADSL 2+ broadband can offer speed up to 24 Mbps (but often not guarenteed), cable broadband often becomes an excellent option due to the reliable, consistent speeds that it provides.
Bundle options
When you take cable broadband service, you get multiple options to combine broadband with phone, digital TV services and even mobile phone package. Bundling or packaged services often help you to reduce the monthly cost and your valuable time too. Depending on your needs, you can choose deals that can best suit your budget. If you are an avid DTV services, Virgin TV services provide the best entertainment features while their broadband services provide one of the cheaper options in UK.
To get more information on cable broadband pacakges from Virgin Media, visit the provider's page.
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