Virgin's broadband service to lower cost of UK VoIP solutions

The cost of adopting VoIP solutions could be reduced following Virgin Media's announcement it would offer a rival fibre-optic broadband package to BT.

Virgin is set to take advantage of Ofcom's recent ruling that forced BT to allow its competitors to access its network infrastructure.

The Richard Branson-owned firm, which is currently the third biggest British broadband provider, will be able to run fibre optic cables across BT's telegraph poles and underground ducts.

This could help reduce the cost of installing high-speed internet and IP telephony solutions, as the rival businesses will have to offer competitive prices.

Virgin welcomed Ofcom's decision - a move which could help the company increase its customer base to an estimated 16 million.

It said in a statement: "This is an important step that rightly focuses on opening up areas of the country not already served by super-fast broadband, removing one of the hurdles that make such developments near impossible at present."