Fibre-optic broadband provider Virgin Media has announced plans to become the first communications company to offer free home phone to mobile calls.

The company has announced plans to offer new and existing subscribers on all of its phone packages the chance to ring Virgin's mobile subscribers without charge from the start of April.

It has been suggested that the move could allow people to cut their annual phone bill by hundreds of pounds.

Graeme Oxby, Executive Director of Mobile and Telephony at Virgin Media, said the company was "extremely proud" to launch the service.

He added: "Our successful quadplay strategy has demonstrated customers are looking for exceptional value by bundling more services together, and this move to include free calls to mobiles with our home phone service underlines our commitment to ensure Virgin Media customers get the best deals possible."

Virgin Media recently confirmed that its on-demand digital TV platform enjoyed a record number of views during 2009.