Virgin Media, the largest MSO in the U.K., has acquired Smallworld Fibre, an operator that serves about 40,000 homes passed via a fiber-based network that stretches into parts of western Scotland and north west England.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but Smallworld’s network currently delivers broadband speeds of 100 Mbps, more than 100 TV channels and phone services to customers in Irvine, Dreghorn, Troon and Kilmarnock as well as Carlisle, Lancaster and Morecambe, the companies said.
Virgin Media, now owned by Liberty Global, currently offers speeds up to 120 Mbps downstream, and plans to boost that to 152 Mbps.
“Even better broadband can open up fantastic possibilities for people as well as support the economic growth of an area. Smallworld will help us bring Virgin Media’s advanced services to thousands of homes, businesses and organisations for the very first time,” said Paul Buttery, Virgin Media’s chief customer, technology and networks officer, in a statement. “Their great network is a perfect fit for us as we continue to invest and look for the right opportunities to grow. We’re excited about what the region has to offer and what we can offer the region.”
