• Full fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology with average top speeds of 1,130Mbps delivered to Moston, Manchester
  • Residents can benefit from broadband speeds 20 times faster than the local average, making it possible to download Ultra-HD TV shows and computer games in minutes
  • Virgin Media O2’s engineers have worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure customers have access to vital connectivity when they need it most

Virgin Media O2 has connected around 7,800 homes in Moston, Manchester, to its ultrafast broadband network, bringing next-generation gigabit speeds to the area.

As part of its ‘Project Lightning’ network expansion programme, Virgin Media O2 is expanding its broadband network to bring ultrafast speeds to more residents and small businesses.

Moston is the latest location now able to access Virgin Media’s gigabit broadband. The company’s Gig1 service offers average top speeds of 1,130Mbps, perfect for busy households working remotely, streaming TV shows and films, video calling friends and family and playing games online.

Manchester was one of the first cities in the country to benefit from Virgin Media’s gigabit services, which launched in the city in October 2019, giving around half a million homes access to the fastest widely available speeds in the UK.

Virgin Media O2 is leading Britain’s gigabit charge and boasts the largest gigabit network in the UK. It is committed to rolling out next-generation gigabit services to its entire network of more than 15 million premises by the end of 2021.

The company 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 planning to go further and faster by deploying fibre to millions of additional homes across the country. This investment will see the business contribute even further to the Government’s connectivity targets upgrading infrastructure in more parts of the country and bringing greater choice and competition to many areas that need it most.

Virgin Media Business is also working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to deliver fibre optic connectivity to more than 1,500 public sector sites throughout the city-region in UK’s largest Local Full Fibre Networks Programme – a project which has created £11.8m of economic benefit within its first year.

In addition to its ultrafast broadband network, Virgin Media O2 was voted the UK’s best mobile network for reliability and coverage**. Its mobile network covers 99% of the nation’s population with 4G, with the business continuing to upgrade its 4G and 5G services to boost mobile connectivity around the country.

Ultrafast broadband boost for Moston residents – now 20 times faster than the local average

Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband speeds are 20 times faster than the local average*. Residents in Moston will benefit from fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology which allows for smooth, reliable connectivity in the home. With a 1,130Mbps connection, large files, films and games become very quick to stream and download:

  • Download every Bridgerton episode in UHD (56GB) in 7 minutes, compared to two hours 28 minutes on the average local connection;
  • Download Call of Duty: Cold War (133GB) on PS5 in under 17 minutes, compared to over five hours and 52 minutes on the average local connection*** 

Julie Agnew, Director of Construction & Delivery at Virgin Media O2, said:

“Moston is the latest part of Manchester to reap the benefits of our investment in the area as we bring gigabit speeds to more homes.

“With speeds 20 times faster than the local average, Moston residents can now download TV shows and movies in minutes, Facetime with loved ones without interruption and seamlessly work from home with near-instant file sharing.”

Gig1 – faster speeds, a powerful router and competitive pricing 

Customers taking Gig1 will benefit from Virgin Media’s best ever equipped gigabit capable router – the Hub 4. The router is Virgin Media’s fastest to date and features improved Wi-Fi hardware to provide speedy and reliable connectivity throughout customers’ homes.

Gig1 broadband is available to new and existing customers and can be packaged with or without telephone, TV and mobile services. Prices start from just £62 per month on an 18-month contract with a guaranteed price freeze for at least 24 months.

New customers can also combine broadband, TV, home phone and mobile into one bundle, which offer outstanding value for customers.

With the Ultimate Oomph bundle, customers can enjoy the ultimate entertainment and connectivity experience at home or on the move with bundled TV, broadband and mobile services.

This includes broadband with average top speeds of more than 600Mbps as well as a mobile SIM with truly unlimited data, texts and calls. Customers can boost their ultimate oomph package with Gig1 speeds

Customers can also access Virgin Media’s new TV service, Virgin TV 360. The advanced TV line-up includes a new Mini box, new TV remote with voice control and smart new features which offer a fully integrated, voice activated and personalised service.

Offering the very best entertainment, Virgin TV 360 boasts all of the top TV channels and streaming apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer, all with 4k Ultra-High Definition and HDR viewing capabilities.

Ultimate Oomph also comes complete with more than 230 channels including Sky Sports, Sky Entertainment and Sky Cinema, as well as inclusive anytime landline calls.

And with Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband, multiple users in the home can stream and watch their favourite shows and content all at the same time in the highest resolution.

For those interested in Virgin Media’s fantastic services, they can go online now to check out our latest deals > http://www.virginmedia.com/

Ends

 

 Notes to Editors

*The average (median) broadband speed in Manchester is 54Mbps. Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations Report 2020, published 17 December 2020.

** O2 won Best Network Coverage in the uSwitch Broadband & Mobile Awards 4 years in a row from 2018 to 2021. Global Wireless Solutions (GWS) also awarded O2 the Best Network for Reliability for three years running: 2019, 2020 and now in 2021.

*** Download speeds calculated using www.download-time.com

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