Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 16, Giffgaff, the UK-based mobile virtual network operator, has launched its first full fibre broadband service, marking its entry into fixed connectivity. The service is being delivered through wholesale access from nexfibre and Virgin Media O2’s networks, expanding giffgaff’s reach beyond mobile services.

The broadband offering is currently in a pilot stage with around 500 customers. Trial participants are receiving symmetrical speeds of up to 500Mbps for £10 per month over a 12-month period. The package includes Arcadyan optical network terminals and Amazon Eero 6+ mesh routers. Early trial feedback indicates connections provisioned with public IPv4 addresses, beneficial for online gaming and remote access, though IPv6 is not yet supported.

Giffgaff is the second wholesale customer on the nexfibre network, which is jointly owned by InfraVia Capital Partners, Liberty Global and Telefónica. Nexfibre’s rollout uses XGS-PON technology, designed to provide symmetrical bandwidth and future scalability. The network primarily targets areas not currently covered by Virgin Media O2 and aims to reach over 5 million premises by 2026, with potential expansion to 7 million. By the first quarter of 2025, nexfibre had 2.2 million premises ready for service.

Rajiv Datta, CEO of nexfibre, said: “We’re delighted to see giffgaff's broadband rolling out across our network. Our investment in an all XGS-PON network provides symmetrical high bandwidth connectivity and also offers the agility to support the member co-created products that differentiate giffgaff in the marketplace.”

For Virgin Media O2, the expansion supports its ongoing network upgrade to full fibre, with giffgaff set to benefit from access to the upgraded footprint as it becomes available. The trial reflects giffgaff’s strategy of testing products with members before commercial rollout, aimed at addressing frustrations with existing broadband services.

Following the trial, giffgaff has introduced three commercial plans starting at £34 per month for 200Mbps, £37 for 500Mbps, and £39 for 900Mbps. All plans are offered on monthly rolling contracts with no setup fee, which differs from the more common 18–24 month contracts in the market.

Ernest Doku, broadband expert at Uswitch, commented: “Following a successful trial earlier this year, giffgaff’s entry into the broadband market could be exciting news for consumers looking for an alternative to the bigger players. The new service will run off Nexfibre's wholesale network, which is currently only used by Virgin Media O2. Long known as a value player in the mobiles space, consumers may have been hoping to see lower launch prices from giffgaff’s offering.”

He added: “While giffgaff’s pricing is fairly standard for a rolling contract, there are cheaper deals out there if you’re happy to sign up for longer. If you’re a student, renter or have a variable income, the flexibility of a monthly rolling plan may be more appealing to you and worth paying a little extra for.”

The move intensifies competition in the UK broadband sector, where Openreach, CityFibre, Virgin Media O2 and alternative networks are expanding full fibre infrastructure to secure market share.