Virgin Media is pushing ahead with its Gig1 rollout by bringing it to several towns and cities in Wales. With Gig1, customers will be able to access average download speeds of 1,140Mbps which is around 18 times faster than the average in the Welsh capital, Cardiff. Today’s announcement comes less than a month after the firm brought Gig1 to London and Northern Ireland.
With today’s switch-on, people will be able to sign-up to Gig1 if they live in Cardiff or surrounding areas such as Adamstown, Ely, Grangetown, Lisvane, Pentwyn, Rumney, Saint Mellons, Thornhill or Whitchurch. Other areas in southern Wales can access Gig1 from today too, they include Barry, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Glamorgan, Port Talbot, and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The expansion of the Gig1 network is helping the UK’s push to get 85% of residences connected with gigabit connectivity by 2025. The country was initially gunning for 100% of residences but recently scaled back its ambitions and cast doubt on whether the initial plans were entirely realistic due to the remoteness of some homes.
Commenting on today’s rollout, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media Jeff Dodds said:
“With our latest switch-on in Wales today, all four UK countries and capital cities can now benefit from our next-generation connectivity and the rest of our network will follow suit next year.
Whether people are working from home, learning online, video calling friends and family, or binging on a box set in 4K, with Gig1, they’ll be able to do it all at the same time without worry or delay.”
While today’s internet connections largely suffice for people"s browsing and gaming needs, technology is due to change drastically in the next decade with many more Internet of Things and virtual reality devices coming online which will all put extra demand on our broadband connections. Smart devices are already widespread but the level of integration in our homes in only set to increase.