More than 90 per cent of Virgin Media O2’s network is now capable of delivering gigabit speeds.
A total of 14.3 million homes across the UK are able to access average download speeds of 1,130Mbps ¬– 22 times faster than the current national average.
The latest switch-on sees a further 1.6 million homes added to its gigabit network with Lincoln, Bath, Lancaster, Fife, Huddersfield, Ipswich, Slough, Salisbury and many others now connected. Virgin Media is under pressure both from BT’s Openreach and independents including CityFibre, who are also building their own full-fibre assets.
Virgin Media’s next-generation Gig1 broadband service, with average download speeds of 1,130Mbps, is the fastest available from a major broadband provider in the UK – 22 times faster than the national average.
Lutz Schüler, Chief Executive Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re making great strides ahead in upgrading the UK and are within touching distance of bringing the benefits of future-proof gigabit broadband to everyone on our network.”
Virgin Media O2 has committed to invest at least £10bn over the next 5 years in the UK and, building on the success of its existing fibre network expansion activity, is actively exploring options to go further and faster by deploying fibre to millions of additional homes across the country.
Virgin Media O2 has also recently announced its intention to upgrade its fixed network to full-fibre to the premises (FTTP) with completion in 2028. This technology is capable of delivering symmetrical 10Gbps download and upload speeds meaning Virgin Media O2 will build on its existing leadership position today and be well equipped for the decades ahead as the demand for speed and capacity continues to rise.
Branded as Gig1, the service comes with the Hub 4c router, which features Intelligent Wi-Fi firmware to improve connectivity throughout the home, and the Plume Wi-Fi pods to tackle blackspots in the local network.