VodafoneZiggo has reached a download speed of 10 gigabits per second in a test on the existing fixed network. ‘We don’t need to put a shovel in the ground to achieve this speed’, according to CEO Jeroen Hoencamp. In the course of 2022, VodafoneZiggo will offer all customers access to a download speed of maximum 1 Gbps via the existing network.

Data consumption is increasing exponentially. In order to be able to satisfy this growing demand, it is important to constantly innovate and optimise on the current network. The 10 Gbps test was carried out in order to show that VodafoneZiggo can handle the capacity requirement of the future. At that speed, a 60 GB game can be downloaded within 48 seconds and an average two-hour 4K film in 10 seconds. 10 Gbps also makes it possible to connect more (smart) devices to the internet in the future.

10 times faster than current top speeds
Jeroen Hoencamp, CEO VodafoneZiggo: ‘Our ambition is to ensure the Netherlands is prepared for the digital future. That is why are continuously investing in our GigaNet: Vodafone and Ziggo’s powerful network. In 2019, we began with the roll-out of gigabit internet, providing our customers with access to download speeds of 1 Gbps. At this time, more than 3 million households and companies already have access to gigabit speeds and in the course of 2022 this will apply to all households and companies that are connected to our network. With this test, VodafoneZiggo has shown that speeds that are 10 times faster than the current top speeds will be possible in the future.’

Ziggo's fixed network is a typical hybrid network that consists of fibre optic and coaxial cables. An average of 97% of the route taken by the internet signal from the data centre to a house connection runs through the Ziggo network via fibre optic cables. Only the last part, from the fiber node to the living room, goes via coaxial cables. Ziggo applies DOCSIS 3.1 technology to this coaxial part, with which fast internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps can be achieved.

Test
The test took place in the VodafoneZiggo TEC Campus in Amsterdam. VodafoneZiggo trains its technicians at this location and tests network innovations here. There is a copy of the existing network in the TEC Campus and the design is therefore comparable to the network that customers use. Use was made of six interconnected modems for the test, because 1 modem can process a maximum of 2.5 Gbps. At this time, there are not many devices that can handle 10 Gbps download speeds. With this test, the company has shown that it not only offers fast and stable networks now, but is continuously working on improvements through new technologies and applications.

GigaNet
VodafoneZiggo combines GigaNet with the fixed network of Ziggo and the mobile network of Vodafone. This GigaNet is becoming increasingly more stable, smarter and faster, with internet speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second. That is also necessary, as data requirements are growing exponentially. In this way, we are taking on a dual role: driving force behind Dutch digitisation and builder of the corresponding infrastructure.