Virgin Media releases broadband stats

VoIP callers using Virgin Media's XXL broadband package - which the provider advertises at 50 Mb - experienced typical speeds of 47.76 Mb in November.

Customers with the next quickest package, the XL, enjoyed a rate of 18.69 Mb compared with the advertised 20 Mb.

Meanwhile, the firm's two 10 Mb packages, L and M, saw speeds of 9.6 Mb and 9.67 Mb respectively.

The typical speed is the rate that at least two-thirds of customers get on average in 24 hours.

Virgin Media published figures for all of its deals as part of its Speed Matters campaign, which it promises will enable customers to make informed choices about which providers to use.

In a statement, the firm said it believed "that being honest about broadband speeds is important" and encouraged people to sign its petition for broadband honesty.

Company founder Richard Branson said in a recent open letter: "Staying connected is central to our lives and we all deserve broadband that we can trust."