Broadband provider Virgin Media has announced it is to use a new tool to measure levels of illegal filesharing on its network.

The company, which offers fibre-optic broadband and TV services, has revealed it is the first internet service provider to sign up to use the new CView software developed by IT firm Detica.

Expected to be used as part of Virgin Media's new music service, the program will help the company measure copyright infringement by applying several analytics to anonymous internet traffic data.

"Understanding how consumer behaviour is changing will be an important requirement of Virgin Media's upcoming music offering," Jon James, the company's Executive Director of Broadband, claimed.

He added that the technology "offers a non-intrusive solution which enhances our understanding of aggregate customer behaviour".

Virgin Media recently confirmed it is working with broadcast solutions provider TiVo to create a new converged television and broadband interactive interface for its next generation of set-top boxes.