Virgin Media has revealed plans to begin trials of to deliver 50Mb broadband connections over existing above-ground electricity lines.
By piggybacking its high-speed fibre optic network through existing electricity pylons, Virgin Media plans to extend its super-fast broadband service beyond those homes with direct cable connections, which will be especially useful in remote rural areas.
Crumlin, Caerphilly, is the Welsh village chosen as the first site for trial and if successful, others will follow. The village was previously reliant on BT's copper wire infrastructure but will now be able to access Virgin Media's broadband and TV service, including around 5,000 hours of catch-up TV and on-demand content. The trial will begin in August and is scheduled to run into 2011.
virginmedia.com
