Virgin Media may specialise in providing cable broadband, but it has revealed that it is seeing a surge in demand for its ADSL service.

According to the Register, the internet service provider has struggled to cope with the number of new customers switching from BT Broadband onto its own copper wire service, which it provides in areas not covered by its cable network.

As a result, hundreds of customers have been hit with delays in getting their broadband deals activated throughout August.

Speaking to the Register, a spokesperson for the company said that it was finding it difficult to cater to the increased number of people signing up to its ADSL2+ broadband service, which promises speeds of up to 20Mb.

"Since we launched our national service with line rental and our Best Speed Promise, we have been overwhelmed with new orders, resulting in a few delays in getting customers on to our superfast ADSL broadband," the representative added.

At the beginning of August, Virgin Media launched a three-months free deal for new customers signing up for 10Mb broadband and phone calls.