UK: Virgin Media to bring next-generation gigabit internet to millions

Virgin Media has announced plans to boost the UK’s broadband, bringing next-generation gigabit connections to its entire network by the end of 2021. 

The next-generation gigabit service will be rolled out in cities across the UK later this year. Trials have already begun in Southampton, where the first customers sampling the new speeds have already been connected. 

The rapid expansion programme means more than one million people will have access to broadband speeds of 1Gps by the end of 2019. In 2020, millions more homes will be connected as the super high-speed connection is rolled out across more of the UK. 

This will make Virgin Media the UK’s largest and most widely available residential gigabit connectivity provider. Virgin Media’s commitment to delivering this product supports the government’s ambition to make reliable, gigabit-capable connections widely available over the coming years. 

Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media, said:

“This is a giant digital leap forward for the UK. Virgin Media has been the unparalleled speed leader for many years. Very soon, for the first time ever, millions of people right across the country will be able to experience hyperfast and reliable gigabit internet connections thanks to the latest technology and the power of our network.

“This upgrade plan will see gigabit speeds rolled out at an unrivalled pace right across the country, bringing our customers the future-proof connections of tomorrow.”

Virgin Media has invested billions of pounds in the next-generation gigabit rollout and provide speeds unmatched by other providers. The next generation broadband technology is known as DOCSIS 3.1, which will bring faster, more reliable broadband speeds to customers’ homes. 

Sharon White, Ofcom chief executive, said:

“We welcome Virgin Media’s commitment to investing further in its network, providing gigabit speeds to millions more households. This shows the race to roll out ultrafast speeds to people and businesses across the UK is really gathering pace.”

Image by Virgin Media