Virgin Media O2 doubles broadband speeds for SMBs

Virgin Media O2 is doubling broadband upload speeds for SMB customers to make it easier for them to access cloud files, send emails, and make video calls.

The newly-merged telecoms company has announced that the speed increases will be made to its four Voom Fibre broadband packages, with the changes to be made at no extra cost to its customers.

Voom Fibre 1 users will benefit from an almost three-fold upload speed increase, from 7Mbps to 20Mbps, while the upload speeds for Voom Fibre 2 and Voom Fibre 3 will double – from 15Mbps to 30Mbps and 20Mbps to 40Mbps, respectively. Meanwhile, upload speeds for Voom 500 users will increase from 35Mbps to 50Mbps – the smallest change out of the four upgrades.

The download speeds, which range from 350 to 500Mbps, are not subject to change.

Virgin Media O2 Business & Wholesale managing director Jo Bertram said that the upgrade will “help SMEs bounce back from the pandemic”.

“After a very challenging year, connectivity has been core to survival for many small businesses, with most uploading and downloading more than ever before. As part of our mission to upgrade the UK we want to help get our nation’s entrepreneurs back on their feet, starting with a free digital boost,” she added.

The SMB services market is becoming increasingly competitive, with telecoms firms racing to offer broadband packages tailored specifically to the UK’s smallest companies, which generate 50% of UK’s total business revenue.

Earlier this month, BT launched its own SMB-focused business unit called SoHo, which will aid home-based and single-site businesses with their digital and connectivity needs by offering a suite of services and apps including cyber security, free digital skills training, and new digital advertising tools. The company also announced the launch of a new Wi-Fi package for micro-businesses, which will include full-fibre broadband with speeds of up to 900MHs as well as a Hybrid Connect device that switches to EE's 4G mobile network in the event of any connectivity issues with the fixed-line.

Today’s announcement is one of the first joint ones issued by Virgin Media O2, which officially launched on 1 June. The £31 billion merger of the two companies was approved last month by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), following an eight-month-long investigation.