UPC has unveiled faster internet access for its consumer market, doubling its basic broadband speeds from yesterday. New customers are being offered 50Mb download speeds as an entry-level package, up from 25Mb. The company is also offering 100Mb and 150Mb packages, eclipsing its previous top speed of 100Mb.

Existing customers will be given the choice to upgrade to the higher-speed packages, at a typical cost of €3 per month for those on UPC’s broadband, TV and phone packages.

UPC has invested more than €500 million in upgrading its network. Over 500,000 homes can access the service. It said it had identified a number of trends among consumers, with more people using video and watching for longer, a trend expected to grow in the coming years.

Sales and marketing director Mark Coan said the proliferation of tablets and smartphones was driving the need for more bandwidth, and was behind UPC’s decision to increase the speeds on offer. “Consumer bandwidth consumption is exponential,” Mr Coan said. “We believe 50Mb is the minimum acceptable speed for consumers.”