Virgin Media O2 has announced its gigabit broadband network has been expanded to reach more than 10 million homes across the UK, meaning that two thirds of its footprint can now access hyperfast broadband speeds.
As part of today’s gigabit switch-on, Virgin Media O2 has upgraded its network with 1.7 million homes gaining access to the next-generation connectivity with towns and cities including Blackpool, Cambridge, Leicester, Nottingham, Oxford and Swindon now able to benefit. By the end of 2021, Virgin Media O2 targets to deliver gigabit broadband speeds across its entire network of 15.5 million homes.
As part of its mission to upgrade the UK, 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 actively exploring options to go further and faster by deploying fibre to millions of additional homes across the country.
This investment includes an accelerated monthly rollout of gigabit speeds to multiple locations across the UK between now and the end of the year.Virgin Media O2’s gigabit expansion was highlighted in Ofcom’s latest Connected Nations report as a key driver behind the 37% increase in homes now having access to gigabit speeds compared to last year.
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.
Lutz Schüler, Chief Executive Officer at Virgin Media O2
We’re rapidly expanding our gigabit broadband network and more than 10 million homes across the UK can now access these next-generation speeds. As the UK’s largest gigabit provider today, committed to connecting our entire network to these speeds by the end of the year, our investment is helping the UK meet its broadband targets and providing consumers with connectivity fit for the future.
