Virgin signs new-build cable deal with Persimmon

Virgin Media has signed up to have its cable connectivity incorporated into Persimmon's new-build homes.

On Tuesday, Virgin Media announced in a statement that new Persimmon homes in cabled areas would "start to be constructed with built-in access to Virgin Media's fibre optic broadband, TV, and telephone services, ready from the minute the buyers move in". Persimmon builds around 10,000 new homes a year.

"Virgin Media's partnership with Persimmon Homes can take a little bit of the stress out of setting up home as well as allow more people to enjoy our next-generation services as soon as they move in," Steve Carlin, Virgin Media's director of sales for new build, said in the statement.

Those buying new homes in non-cabled areas — Virgin Media was created out of a patchwork of smaller networks, some of which use standard copper infrastructure — will be offered phone-line-based speeds of up to 20Mbps, while those in cabled areas will be offered speeds of up to 50Mbps.

The partnership will let home buyers work with Persimmon representatives to create bespoke communications and entertainment systems off-plan. It is not unusual for a telco to target new builds in this way — BT's big fibre rollout includes high-speed fibre-to-the-home connectivity being built into new homes in much the same way.