Virgin Media has confirmed that it was exploring the potential launching its own network of public Wi-Fi hotspots in various major cities in the UK.

Virgin will make use of its cable network to connect Wi-Fi hotspots that will offer download speeds of up to 5Mbps.

Virgin’s new service will mirror service being offered by telecoms giant BT and BT openzone network. BT owns around 3,900 hotspots in the country. In addition, BT "borrows" some of the Wi-Fi coverage from nearly 1,955,000 of its fixed line Total Broadband customers through their BT-FON service.

However, company’s advance technology officer Kevin Baughan said that they got the inspiration from their fellow cable-based broadband ISP Cablevision, which is offering public Wi-Fi access in New York.

Speaking on the topic, he said, “We have been inspired by what Cablevision has been able to do in New York and are actively exploring the possibility of creating a similar network here.”

Virgin’s broadband and mobile customers will be able to access the service for free, while others will have to pay to use the service.