SOUTHAMPTON is benefitting from super fast broadband speed as a provider carries out an innovation trial in the city.

Virgin Media has delivered next-generation 2.2Gbps broadband speeds to homes in Southampton in a real-world trial.

The multi-gigabit speeds – more than 38 times faster than the Southampton average broadband speeds – have been delivered via Virgin Media’s existing, future-proof cable network using broadband technology known as a DOCSIS 3.1 which brings faster, more reliable broadband speeds to customers’ homes.

Virgin Media has carried out the proof-of-concept trial to showcase the future speeds which can be delivered via the same network that already connects millions of customers across the country, without the need for additional infrastructure or civil engineering works.

It comes after the operator launched its gigabit broadband service, Gig1, in the city in 2019 offering average download speeds of 1,130Mbps.

More than 7 million homes across Virgin Media’s network can now access these future-proof gigabit speeds, making the company the UK’s largest gigabit broadband provider.

Jeanie York, Virgin Media’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, said: “We invest more than £1 billion into our network every year to deliver leading connectivity today, but our talented teams never stop pushing forward to ensure we’re ready to power our customers’ connectivity needs for whatever comes next.

“Our services are being relied on and used more than ever before, and this innovative trial in Southampton demonstrates how Virgin Media’s existing network is fit for the future with hyperfast, multi-gigabit broadband speeds delivered straight to customer homes.”

The hyperfast speeds have been verified using tools from SamKnows – Ofcom’s technical partner – which measures broadband performance.

In the future, multi-gigabit speeds will allow households to instantly and simultaneously stream boxsets and video games with 8K and upwards capabilities.