Virgin Media, the company formed from the merger of Ntl:Telewest and Virgin Mobile, is to launch on Valentines Day.

Previously reliable sources told DS that some Ntl:Telewest staff had been briefed on the February 14 launch, to be called 'V-day', from which date the Ntl:Telewest brand name will not exist.

A major marketing campaign will be unveiled in the run up which will include TV, radio, magazines, newspapers and outdoor posters.

Following the merger of the two companies last March, the launch has been months in planning. Virgin Media plans to offer a quad-play package of mobile, cable TV, broadband and landline phone services.

The news comes in the week that Sky launched its triple-play package, "See, Speak and Surf", which is available for £26 per month plus a £20 connection fee and £11 monthly BT line rental.