HOMES and businesses in South Devon are to benefit from fibre optic cables from Virgin Media, bringing ‘ultrafast’ broadband to the area.

As part of its ‘project lightning’ expansion, the company plans to extend its fibre optic network to 42,000 homes and businesses across Devon. Work has now begun in Torquay to connect 24,000 new premises and is expected to be completed across the county before the end of 2019.

Those who are connected and take up Virgin Media’s services will gain broadband with download speeds of up to 300Mbps, as well as new entertainment TV packages.

People can register their interest in being connected to this service.

Maurice Daw, of Virgin Media, said: ‘We’re delighted to be expanding our network to thousands more homes and businesses to help to make Devon a world class digital hotspot.

‘Local residents and businesses will soon be getting the high-speed connectivity they deserve. We urge more people to come together and register their interest - your street could be next.’ 

Kevin Foster, Torbay MP, said: ‘I’m delighted thousands of local homes and businesses will soon be connected to ultrafast broadband. This investment, bringing speeds of up to 300Mbps, is great news for keeping the bay connected and driving forward our economy.’

Backed by parent company Liberty Global, Virgin Media is investing £3bn to extend its ultrafast fibre broadband network to an additional four million premises, to reach a total of 17 million homes and businesses across the country.