Virgin Media clocks up 2.2Gbps broadband speeds in innovation trials

• Virgin Media’s trials in Southampton and Manchester deliver multi-gigabit broadband speeds of 2.2Gbps (2,200Mbps) – around 40 times faster than the local average connection
• The hyperfast broadband is delivered via Virgin Media’s existing network
• Virgin Media is already the UK’s largest gigabit broadband provider with speeds of 1,130Mbps available to 7.1 million homes

Virgin Media has demonstrated the power and capability of its fibre-rich network by successfully delivering next-generation 2.2Gbps broadband speeds to homes in Southampton and Manchester in real-world trials.

The multi-gigabit speeds – around 40 times faster than the local average broadband speeds – have been delivered via Virgin Media’s existing, future-proof cable network using broadband technology known as a DOCSIS 3.1 which brings faster, more reliable broadband speeds to customers’ homes.

Virgin Media has carried out the proof-of-concept trial to showcase the future speeds which can be delivered via the same network that already connects millions of customers across the country, without the need for additional infrastructure or civil engineering works.

It comes after the operator launched its gigabit broadband service, Gig1, in late 2019 offering average download speeds of 1,130Mbps. More than 7 million homes across Virgin Media’s network can now access these future-proof gigabit speeds, making the company the UK’s largest gigabit broadband provider. By the end of 2021, the provider’s entire network, passing more than 15 million premises, will have gigabit speeds switched on.

Future-proof network

Virgin Media’s engineers were able to deliver the multi-gigabit speeds to homes in Southampton and Manchester using the operator’s latest router, the Hub 4. The router is Virgin Media’s fastest to date and comes as standard with its gigabit broadband service, Gig1.

The hyperfast speeds have been verified using tools from SamKnows – Ofcom’s technical partner – which measures broadband performance.

In the future, multi-gigabit speeds will allow households to instantly and simultaneously stream boxsets and video games with 8K and upwards capabilities, as well as use AR and VR technology in real-time and take part in video calling – all without any delay.

Jeanie York, Virgin Media’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, said: “We invest more than £1 billion into our network every year to deliver leading connectivity today, but our talented teams never stop pushing forward to ensure we’re ready to power our customers’ connectivity needs for whatever comes next.

“Our services are being relied on and used more than ever before, and these innovative trials in Manchester and Southampton demonstrate how Virgin Media’s existing network is fit for the future with hyperfast, multi-gigabit broadband speeds delivered straight to customer homes.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Virgin Media has delivered 2.2Gbps broadband speeds which are more than 40 times faster than Manchester’s average connection and more than 38 times faster than Southampton’s average connection. The Manchester local average broadband speed is 54Mbps and Southampton average is 57.6Mbps according to Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report 2020, published 17 December 2020

About Virgin Media

Virgin Media offers four multi award-winning services across the UK: broadband, TV, mobile phone and landline.

Our network delivers the fastest widely-available broadband speeds to homes and businesses. We’re expanding this through continued investment in our Project Lightning programme, which has seen our network footprint reach an additional 2.5 million premises so far to pass 15.3 million UK premises overall. We are also investing to bring next-generation gigabit speeds to our entire broadband network by the end of 2021, making us the UK’s largest gigabit operator.

Our interactive TV service brings live TV, thousands of hours of on-demand programming and the best apps and games to customers through a set-top box, as well as on-the-go through tablets and smartphones.

Virgin Mobile launched the world’s first virtual mobile network and offers fantastic value and innovative services with 5G connectivity. We are also one of the largest