Virgin Media O2 on track for biggest-ever broadband download day in the UK as GTA 6 preloads start
Virgin Media O2 says it is on course for its biggest-ever day for broadband download volumes as preloads begin for Grand Theft Auto 6 in the UK.
The telecoms groups said that it recorded a 54.1% increase in broadband traffic between midnight and 01h00 on Tuesday (10 November), as downloads got underway.
By 09h00, the total volume of data downloaded was 75.6% higher than during the equivalent period last Tuesday (3 November), with the network on track to record its biggest-ever day for broadband data volumes.
Separate polling from the group shows that nearly half (46%) of players expecting to download GTA VI before release day. Nearly half (45%) also expect to spend £50 or more on gaming kit, excluding the game itself.
More than three-quarters (78%) have made, or plan to make, changes to their schedules to find time to play. Almost a quarter (23%) expect to stay up later than usual or get less sleep, while 22% plan to keep a whole weekend free.
Half (50%) of working respondents who expect to play plan to take some time off, with a third (33%) expecting to take at least two days.
Virgin Media said customers on its company’s Gig2 service will be able to download the 190GB game in under 15 minutes.
“Fans are booking time off work and upgrading their gaming set-ups for GTA VI. Their broadband connection is just as important: before anyone can play, they need to get the game downloaded,” said Jeanie York (Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2).
“We’ve been preparing our network for the demand that comes with a launch of this scale, so fans can focus on exploring Vice City, not watching a download bar.”
