Virgin Media invests to increase network and create 6,000 new UK jobs

Press release (slighted abridged):

Virgin Media is embarking on “Project Lightning” the single largest investment in broadband digital infrastructure in the country for more than a decade; creating thousands of new jobs in what will be a multi-billion pound boost to the national economy.
Virgin Media will extend its unrivalled fibre-rich network to approximately four million additional premises over the next five years. This will increase the number of homes and businesses to which Virgin Media can offer services by almost a third; from around half of the country today to nearly 17 million premises by 2020. £3 billion for homes and businesses; £8 billion of value to the UK economy and consumers
Tom Mockridge, Virgin Media Chief Executive Officer, said: “Millions of homes and businesses will soon be able to benefit for the first time from broadband speeds at least twice as fast as those available from the other major providers. Consumers and business owners who want to make the switch to better broadband speeds now have an alternative; you can call on Virgin Media to ‘Cable My Street’.”
This network expansion programme is expected to create 6,000 new jobs in the UK at Virgin Media and across its construction partners. Roles will be created across the country, including jobs to support engineering and sales efforts. It will increase the number of apprenticeships created by Virgin Media to 1,000 over the next five years.
Virgin Media calls on consumers and businesses to register their interest Network expansion will be prioritised according to demand from households and companies, with a focus on areas closest to Virgin Media’s existing network. Virgin Media is urging communities who want better connectivity to register their interest at virginmedia.com/cablemystreet.
Mockridge added: “In virtually all of the areas we have identified for expansion, BT is the only option available right now. Its ageing copper telephony wires are not capable of the ultrafast connectivity that Virgin Media delivers. Soon we will offer unbeatable services to even more homes and businesses across the country.”