Details are extremely thin on the ground at the moment but ISPreview has begun to receive some reports of problems being experienced by cable giant Virgin Media UK. Several broadband customers are reporting a total loss of connection and the operators website is, at the time of writing, refusing to load.

We do know that there were some problems with the email platform earlier this morning, although this was probably due to some users being migrated onto the new Google based service. Elsewhere the providers new community forum website does load, but it is presently taking several minutes to come up:

http://community.virginmedia.com/

UPDATE - 9:47am :

We tried to call some telephone numbers at Virgin Media but they appear to be busy, which is usually a sign of a widespread problem. So far the only reply we can get from our usual contacts is to confirm that there is a problem and that Virgin Media are investigating. More soon..

UPDATE - 9:54am :

One of the support numbers appears to be confirming a major nationwide fault that is affecting both broadband and email Internet services.

UPDATE - 9:57am :

The Virgin Media website has returned and is showing a front page general notice of apology for their "technical difficulties."


UPDATE - 10:07am :

Some customers report that their services have been down for nearly a day already and there are suggestions that a backbone server related cable cut or damage may be causing the situation. Estimated fixed times vary, although all claim that the problem should be resolved at some point by mid-afternoon. Hmm wishful thinking?

UPDATE - 10:31am :

Finally some hard details. The problems appear to be related to an intermittent backbone issue. This is causing a bit of a routing problem, thus some customers should still be able to use the service while others are having difficulties.


UPDATE - 1:23pm :

Services should slowly be returning to normal in "some" parts of the country, although many are still experiencing connectivity and email problems with their broadband internet access services. Virgin Media's website is also now getting back to normal and the earlier notice appears to have gone.

UPDATE - 1:52pm :

Virgin Media has just told us the following: "As of about 1pm all services restored." We are still seeing some complaints but the situation does appear to be improving.