(Telecompaper) UK cable operator Virgin Media has announced that it will invest an additional GBP 3 billion with the support of its parent company Liberty Global, in "Project Lighting", which will bring 152 Mbps download speeds to another 4 million homes and businesses over the next five years. This will increase the number of homes and businesses to which Virgin Media can offer services by almost a third to nearly 17 million premises by 2020. The investment will be financed mainly through incremental borrowings. This network expansion programme is expected to create 6,000 new jobs in the UK at Virgin Media and across its construction partners. It also will increase the number of apprenticeships created by Virgin Media to 1,000 over the next five years. Network expansion will be prioritised according to demand from households and companies, with a focus on areas closest to Virgin Media's existing network. Virgin Media calls on consumers and businesses to register their interest at virginmedia.com/cablemystreet.