# UK telecommunications network infrastructure upgrades > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-telecommunications-network-infrastructure-upgrades > Updated: 2026-10-27T09:31:19.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Telecommunications providers in the United Kingdom are implementing various technologies to increase broadband capacity and speeds. Vodafone and Nokia successfully completed laboratory trials of 50G Passive Optical Network (50G PON) technology at a facility in Newbury. The testing demonstrated that 50G PON architecture can operate alongside existing GPON and XGS-PON infrastructure, allowing for capacity upgrades to 50 Gbps by replacing interface cards rather than physical fiber lines. In a separate deployment, Virgin Media O2 began rolling out 2Gbps download speed services using its existing Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) network. Utilizing DOCSIS 3.1 technology, the ‘Gig2’ service provides 2Gbps download and 100Mbps upload speeds to approximately 3 million additional homes without requiring new trench-digging. Upgrades have been completed in 18 locations, including Newcastle, Manchester, Oxford, and Portsmouth, with a goal to expand services to most of the network by 2027. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-27: Virgin Media O2 rolls out 2Gbps broadband over coax network Virgin Media O2 is rolling out 2Gbps ‘Gig2’ broadband services over its legacy hybrid fibre-coaxial network, targeting 3 million additional UK homes. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/virgin-media-o2-rolls-out-2gbps-broadband-over-coax-network ### 2026-09-30: Vodafone and Nokia test 50G PON fiber technology in UK Vodafone and Nokia successfully tested 50G PON technology in the UK to upgrade fiber capacity without replacing lines, while MTN Uganda and Huawei partnered to integrate smart home management into mobile apps. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vodafone-and-nokia-test-50g-pon-fiber-technology-in-uk --- Cite as: UK telecommunications network infrastructure upgrades. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-telecommunications-network-infrastructure-upgrades