Virgin Media O2 on course to double broadband speeds after 2.2 Gbps trials

Virgin Media O2 is on course to double the broadband speeds available on its existing cable network, following a pair of real-world trials which delivered 2.2 Gbps. The operator said the tests conducted in Edinburgh and Birmingham utilized DOCSIS 3.1 technology alongside Virgin Media O2’s Hub 4 router, which is offered as standard to customers taking its 1 Gbps service. In July 2021, Virgin Media O2 announced plans to upgrade its entire network to full fiber-to-the-premises by 2028, but highlighted plans to “maintain and develop” its cable network capabilities in the interim. At the time, it specifically set a goal to deliver speeds of more than 2 Gbps. The DOCSIS 3.1 standard is capable of supporting download speeds of up to 10 Gbps, but it is unclear whether Virgin Media O2 will pursue upgrades beyond 2.2 Gbps given its planned fiber rollout. As of August, speeds of 1.1 Gbps were available to more than 8 million homes, representing more than half of its 15.5 million-home footprint. By September that figure had jumped to 10 million, and by early October it reached 12.8 million homes.