Virgin Media considers 150Mbps broadband trials

Virgin Media has signalled plans to offer broadband at speeds of between 100 to 150Mbps within the next few years, according to reports.

British Telecom (BT) has already pledged to complete its planned network roll-out by 2012 to offer speeds of up to 60Mbps for some UK households.

Neil Berkett, Virgin Media's chief executive, told BBC News that its fibre-to-the-cabinet network roll-out could provide speeds of up to 200Mbps.

However, Mr Beckett said there are not presently the necessary "returns" on the market for providing a service of 150Mbps or even higher.

"As we work with application providers and content providers...there will be a natural point where we upgrade from ten, 20 and 50Mbps to something more," he explained.

"If BT were to meet the time frame they have suggested - of finishing by 2012 - I would see us as having much, much faster upstream speed, running at a minimum of 100Mbps downstream and possibly more. You can see a real opportunity there."

Niel McLean, executive director at learning technology agency Becta, recently said that having access to broadband at home could "make a real difference" for children of disadvantaged households.