VIRGIN Media O2 has announced that it has added thousands of homes in Leigh to its gigabit network, connecting areas in and around the town to broadband speeds 16 times faster than the local average.

Virgin Media says its next-generation Gig1 broadband service, with average download speeds of 1,130Mbps, is the fastest available from any of the major broadband providers in the UK.

As well as preparing homes for the technologies and applications of tomorrow, gigabit speeds enable consumers to do more online – from working, streaming, socialising and gaming - all at the same time on multiple devices under the same roof.

As part of today’s gigabit switch-on, Virgin Media O2 has upgraded thousands of homes in the town centre, Hope Carr, Landside, Bedford and Higher Folds to gigabit speeds. More homes in the area will be connected to gigabit broadband over the coming months.

More than eight million homes in all four UK nations are now able to access Virgin Media’s Gig1 service, making the operator the largest gigabit broadband provider in the UK.

By the end of 2021, Virgin Media O2 will deliver gigabit broadband speeds across its entire network of more than 15 million homes.

Lutz Schüler, chief executive officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “We are upgrading the UK to next-generation connectivity and today we’re hitting another important milestone with more than half of our network now able to access gigabit speeds.

“As the UK’s largest gigabit broadband provider today, with a clear plan to connect our entire network to these speeds by the end of the year, we’ll be delivering most of the Government’s broadband target ahead of schedule. Our continued investment is propelling the country up gigabit league tables and providing consumers with the connectivity they need both now and in future.”

Digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman added: "We've kicked off the biggest broadband build in British history thanks to £5 billion of government funding alongside significant investment from telecoms firms.

"I welcome Virgin Media O2's ambitious plans to speed up the delivery of lightning-fast gigabit connectivity to communities across the UK and give people what they need to keep pace with the digital revolution."

Virgin Media O2 upgrading the UK to gigabit speeds

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.

This increased access is also contributing to the Government’s aim of having gigabit speeds passing at least 85% of UK premises by 2025. Once Virgin Media O2 has completed its upgrade later this year, the company will have contributed almost two thirds of the Government’s minimum broadband ambition four years ahead of the target.

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.

Gig1 – faster speeds, new router and competitive pricing

Customers taking Gig1 will benefit from Virgin Media’s gigabit capable router – the Hub 4. The router is Virgin Media’s fastest to date and features Intelligent WiFi firmware to provide speedy and reliable connectivity throughout customers’ homes.

The Hub 4 boasts more antennae than its predecessor, the Hub 3, meaning it can manage multiple devices at the same time around the home which can all share the hyperfast speeds.

Gig1 customers can also take their connectivity to the next level with an Intelligent WiFi pod – available at no extra cost - that can be plugged in to provide faster and more reliable speeds in hard-to-reach spots around the home.

Gig1 broadband is available to new and existing customers and can be packaged with or without telephone, TV and mobile services. Prices start from just £62 per month on an 18 month contract with a guaranteed price freeze for at least 24 months.

Customers can find out more and buy Gig1 at www.virginmedia.com/Gig1Fibre