High-speed broadband speeds of 360Mbps from Virgin Media are now available in Tullamore, Co Offaly for the first time.

Virgin Media appears to be expanding its fibre footprint by stealth, and has been interacting with local communities around Ireland.

All of this is happening while the National Broadband Plan is still being deliberated upon, with fears it may slip to late 2017 before contracts are awarded to the three shortlisted consortia: Eir, Siro and Enet.

Around 2,000 homes in Tullamore are now capable of receiving 360Mbps fibre.

‘We have been overwhelmed by the response from other local communities throughout Ireland’

– PAUL FARRELL

With speeds of 360Mbps, it is possible to download an eight-series TV box set in less than two minutes, an album in less than 10 seconds and a full movie in 22 seconds.

High-speed broadband not just for big cities

“By bringing Ireland’s fastest broadband network into local communities, we’re showing that ultrafast broadband and top-notch TV isn’t just for big cities,” said Paul Farrell, vice president of commercial at Virgin Media.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response from other local communities throughout Ireland and we’re thrilled to have finally arrived in Tullamore.

“Virgin Media customers are experiencing what real super-fast broadband has to offer, which is important as the demands to connect, download and play continue to grow dramatically in Irish households.”

Earlier this year, Virgin Media has revealed that it has made 360Mbps speeds available across its network of close to 750,000 homes.

Virgin Media has more than 375,900 broadband subscribers capable of receiving between 150Mbps and 500Mbps broadband. Some 750,000 homes are passed by its network and are now capable of receiving speeds of up to 360Mbps.