Virgin Media launches UK's fastest internet service

Full details are expected at an official launch today, but extensive trials have already been carried out across the UK, where residents paid £50 per month for the service.

'Strictly Come Dancing' contestant Rachel Stevens is publicising the launch through a News of the World photoshoot video and photo call today.

The fibre optic service will be twice as fast as the present UK internet speeds offered by BT. However, Virgin Media will only be able to supply 50MB internet to about 12m homes across the country until the fibre optic cable is installed around the rest of the UK.

The 50mb speed is made possible through data over cable service interface specifications (Doscis) technology, which sends internet data over TV cables.

For the time being, most households will have to rely on BT for super-fast internet services. Earlier this year, BT CEO Ian Livingston announced that his company will invest £1.5bn over the next four years to install the necessary cable across the country.