Virgin Media has urged the UK government to install "state-of-the-art networks" in response to London tech firms being held back by poor broadband connections.

Peter Kelly, Managing Director of Virgin Media Business, said: "It can’t be right that some companies have more faith in cycle couriers than their old broadband connections. We’ve identified the need for super-fast, ultra-reliable and affordable fibre-optic connectivity to power the small businesses who are reviving UK PLC. Our offer to Tech City is putting that right.

"But we need to work with Government and other bodies to streamline the system so that we can get companies up and running more quickly."

It comes after Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, suggested to Parliament yesterday that owls or a Game of Throne raven would offer an improved broadband service in Tech City.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has also announced plans to make it easier for companies to install broadband, street cabinets and new overhead lines, in a bid to tackle the holdups stifling access to superfast internet connections nationwide.

Mr Vaizey also said that he wants to introduce a bypass to approval processes from local planning authorities for five years.

Pointing to the increased level of competition in the broadband market for small and medium-sized businesses and the effort providers are now making to offer high capacity broadband, Mr Vaizey added:

"Virgin Media Business is now working closely with the Tech City team offering a 50Mb symmetrical broadband product for around £200 per month and a 100Mb symmetrical broadband product for around £300 per month."