Virgin Media O2 switches on the UK’s first residential 2Gbps broadband service – and it’s 28 times faster than the national average connection

It’s happened to all of us: you go to download a movie or a game and you come across the dreaded “wheel of death.”

But the days of having to connect to the office WiFi are finally a thing of the past, thanks to Virgin Media’s new O2 service.

The tech giant has activated the UK’s first 2Gbps residential broadband service, called Gig2.

The service is 28 times faster than the national average connection, allowing customers to download video games, movies, music and large files in seconds.

“Gig2 is our latest speed venture that will unlock endless opportunities for future technologies and the ever-changing digital needs of our customers,” said Jeanie York, chief technology officer at Virgin Media O2.

The launch of Gig2 comes almost three years after its predecessor, Gig1, was launched.

At 2Gbps, this upgraded service offers twice as fast broadband speeds and, best of all, is available on the Nexfire network, which covers one million homes across the UK including Belfast, Cardiff, London and Glasgow .

‘Gig2 will operate over Nexfibre’s XGS-PON full fiber network which will support symmetrical upload and download speeds (a first for a major UK broadband provider as an optional add-on) and allow users to send and receive data , files and much more. more in the blink of an eye,” said Ms. York.

“With our heritage in providing cutting-edge technology and ultra-fast broadband speeds, which has enabled us to complete the UK’s first national gigabit rollout programme, we look forward to bringing Gig2 to more areas in the near future.”

It can be difficult to imagine what these download speeds mean for you.

However, Virgin Media Download Calculator The tool can help put speeds into better context.

At 2Gbps, this upgraded service offers twice as fast broadband speeds and, best of all, is available on the Nexfire network, which covers one million homes across the UK including Belfast, Cardiff, London and Glasgow .

The calculator reveals that with the average UK connection (69.4 Mbps), Brits could download Call of Duty Modern Warfare III for PS5 in approximately 7 hours and 41 minutes.

In contrast, this would take only 16 minutes to download on Gig2.

Oppenheimer’s film would take just 4 minutes and 25 seconds to download on Gig2, compared to 2 hours and 7 minutes with an average connection.

Meanwhile, hit BBC show The Traitors could be downloaded in just 30 seconds on Gig2, compared to 14 minutes and 36 seconds on an average connection.

Alex Tofts, broadband expert at Broadband Genie, said: “While download speeds look exciting, expectations should be tempered.”

“The service is not widely available and we caution that such high speeds may not be necessary for the average home.”

Gig2 will cost £84/month, with an optional £6 add-on for symmetrical speeds so you can upload as fast as you download.

Find the fastest, cheapest broadband and see if you can save

Broadband, TV and phone contracts are notoriously rigid, with customers often allowing deals to remain in place for many years while providers raise prices.

But you might get faster broadband, a better TV package and a better phone deal, while saving money every month.

It is always worth comparing prices to see if you can save, especially when the cost of living crisis worsens.

This is Money has teamed up with Broadband Choices to offer readers the opportunity to easily search for the best and cheapest deals on broadband, mobile and TV.

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