Virgin Media has quietly started activating its XGS-PON full-fibre broadband service—capable of delivering symmetrical speeds up to 2Gbps—in areas previously served only by hybrid fibre coax (HFC). This development follows earlier reports that the company, part of Virgin Media O2, was preparing to launch new full-fibre products nationwide by March 2025, although exact dates remain subject to change.
According to multiple industry sources, as well as data compiled by the Better Internet Dashboard, Virgin Media has been gradually making XGS-PON connections available since early February in select locations across the UK. Customers in these upgraded regions can now access 2Gbps symmetric services, matching capabilities offered on the operator’s newer full-fibre networks under the nexfibre banner. However, initial indications suggest that only new customers can currently order the XGS-PON plans; existing HFC subscribers may be unable to switch immediately.
“It makes little financial sense to have XGS-PON networks sitting idle without generating revenue,” said one analyst who has been monitoring broadband rollouts in the UK. “Virgin Media’s move to enable these connections is a logical next step, even if it’s happening in a phased manner.”
The company has not issued a formal statement about the rollout. When asked for comment, a Virgin Media spokesperson responded with “no comment.” Insiders believe an official announcement could coincide with the launch of Virgin Media’s new NetCo wholesale platform, potentially later this year.
Multi-Phase Upgrade Strategy
Virgin Media’s XGS-PON expansion forms part of a broader initiative—often referred to as Project Mustang or Fibre Up—aimed at upgrading over 16 million premises from legacy HFC and Radio Frequency over Glass (RFoG) to full-fibre technology by 2028. While HFC areas are still restricted to top speeds of around 1Gbps downstream (100Mbps upstream), the XGS-PON standard supports 10Gbps-capable connections, theoretically allowing speeds above 2Gbps in the future.
Nexfibre, a separate full-fibre venture in which Virgin Media O2 holds a stake, has already passed more than two million premises across the UK and aims for five million by 2026. In regions where both networks overlap, residents can often choose between traditional cable-based service and a new full-fibre package.
Long-Term Migration
Industry observers note that physically migrating existing HFC customers to XGS-PON can be complex, requiring engineer visits to install new fibre connections. Some reports suggest Virgin Media may not have all HFC users fully switched to the new infrastructure until 2040, even though the core network upgrades should be completed by 2028.
For now, the focus appears to be on monetizing newly active XGS-PON lines and offering faster, more reliable broadband to select parts of Virgin Media’s footprint. The result could be a significant shift in the UK broadband market, especially if rivals respond with competitive full-fibre deals of their own. With demand for higher upload speeds and greater network resilience on the rise—particularly among remote workers—Virgin Media’s incremental activation of 2Gbps services could mark the start of a widespread full-fibre transition for millions of homes.