Virgin Media O2 has become the first major UK broadband provider to offer a residential 2Gbps service, branded Gig2, and to provide symmetrical upload and download speeds as an optional add-on across its entire range of speed tiers.
The Gig2 service delivers extremely fast full-fibre connectivity—more than 28 times faster than the UK average—using XGS-PON technology and expanding on Virgin Media’s existing 1Gbps Gig1 offering.
Gig2 is launching across the nexfibre footprint, which currently covers nearly one million premises in towns and cities including London, Cardiff, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, Manchester and Glasgow. Nexfibre is a joint venture fibre network between Virgin Media O2 and investment partner Fern Trading.
Virgin Media O2 says the higher speeds available with Gig2 will support next-generation applications such as advanced AI services, immersive gaming and virtual environments often described as the metaverse.
In addition to the 2Gbps tier, the company is introducing symmetrical speeds as a bolt-on option across all speed packages, from 50Mbps up to 2Gbps, enabling customers to upload as quickly as they download. This is the first time a major UK provider has offered symmetrical speeds across its full range in this way.
Customers who subscribe to Gig2 will receive Virgin Media’s new Hub 5x router, the company’s first device compatible with the XGS-PON standard. The Hub 5x is constructed from 100% recycled plastic and includes support for Wi‑Fi 6 to improve in-home wireless performance for modern devices.
Gig2 is priced at £84 per month, with the symmetrical speed add-on available for an additional £6 per month.
“Virgin Media O2 has always been at the forefront of UK broadband innovation and speed,” said Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media. “Gig2 unlocks new opportunities for customers by supporting emerging technologies such as the metaverse and AI.”
The company plans to extend Gig2 availability to more areas through its partnership with nexfibre as the nexfibre rollout continues. Around one million premises have access to the service at launch.
“Nexfibre’s full-fibre network, powered by XGS-PON technology, provides a platform for progress, as demonstrated by Virgin Media O2’s new Gig2 service with symmetrical speed options,” said Rajiv Datta, CEO of nexfibre. “As rollout continues, we look forward to giving more consumers and businesses the benefits of our investment in the UK’s digital infrastructure.”
(Image Credit: Virgin Media O2)
See also: Comcast agrees to stop misleading ’10G’ marketing
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