Virgin Media O2 Connects 10,000 Homes in West Yorkshire to Gigabit Broadband

Virgin Media O2 has connected more than 10,000 homes in West Yorkshire to its ultrafast network, bringing the benefits of gigabit broadband to tens of thousands more people for the first time.

As part of its ‘Project Lightning’ network expansion programme, Virgin Media O2 is expanding its network to bring ultrafast broadband, TV and phone services to more residents and small businesses.

Otley and surrounding areas are the latest locations now able to access Virgin Media’s services, including Gig1 which offers top speeds of 1,130Mbps, 16 times faster than local average, and which is perfect for busy households working remotely, streaming TV shows and films, video calling friends and family and playing games online.

Virgin Media O2 is leading Britain’s gigabit charge and became the only major broadband provider to have rolled out next-generation gigabit services to its entire network of more than 15 million premises in December 2021. Alongside this, 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 exploring options to go further and faster by deploying fibre to millions of additional homes across the country.

In July 2021, the company announced it will upgrade its entire fixed network to full fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology with completion in 2028, capable of delivering symmetrical 10Gbps download and upload speeds and beyond. This will take place alongside its expansion programme that is bringing greater choice and competition to many areas that need it most.

In addition to its ultrafast broadband network, Virgin Media O2’s mobile network covers 99% of the nation’s population with 4G, with the business continuing to upgrade its 4G and 5G services to boost mobile connectivity around the country. It recently announced that it would be the only mobile network operator not to reintroduce roaming fees in Europe.

Christopher Matthews, Director of Construction & Delivery at Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re starting 2022 with a bang having connected more than 10,000 homes in Otley, Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Guiseley to the UK’s fastest widely available broadband network.

“With hybrid working here to stay, file sizes expanding, and the world of online gaming only set to grow, at speeds 16 times faster than the local average, we’re offering residents the services they need to keep up with the latest twists and turns in tech.”

Cllr Debra Coupar, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Resources, said: “Leeds City Council recognise the importance of good quality connectivity options to enable everyone to be able to make best use of the internet and so we welcome this investment in better connectivity for residents in Otley, Guiseley and surrounding areas.

Our ambition is for all Leeds residents to have access to gigabit capable services and already over 85% of all premises across the district can access these services. We will continue to work with network operators to encourage them to extend their networks as widely as possible so that residents in areas that are currently underserved can access the same level of connectivity that is available in the best served areas.”

Virgin Media O2 recently launched its first ever joint product, Volt, enabling customers to supercharge their services and reap extra rewards simply by being customers of both Virgin Media and O2.

Alongside double mobile data, roaming in 75 countries and up to £150 off a connected device, new and existing customers who take a Virgin Media broadband service and an eligible O2 Pay Monthly plan will receive a broadband speed boost to the next tier available – meaning customers on a 500mbps Virgin Media package could be boosted to Gig1 at no extra charge.