Openreach to trial blistering 8.5Gbps broadband speeds

Openreach has revealed plans to test ultrafast full fibre broadband speeds of up to 8.5Gbps in early 2026, marking a major step forward for UK internet. The trial will take place across 40,000 homes and businesses in Guildford between January and March.

Why this is a big deal

Openreach’s current full fibre (FTTP) network mainly uses GPON technology, which maxes out at around 1.8Gbps downloads and 120Mbps uploads on consumer products. While this is fast enough for most homes, rival providers have already rolled out XGS-PON technology – capable of much higher speeds.

To catch up, Openreach will now test XGS-PON – which stands for 10 Gigabit Symmetric Passive Optical Network. This technology can support both symmetric speeds of 3.3Gbps (equal upload and download) and asymmetric speeds of up to 8.5Gbps.

What will be tested

The Guildford pilot will explore:

• Symmetric speeds up to 3.3Gbps – ideal for businesses or serious home workers needing fast uploads as well as downloads.
• Asymmetric speeds up to 8.5Gbps – headline-grabbing downloads, but still very much experimental.

Openreach stressed this is only a trial, so the higher tiers aren’t guaranteed to launch commercially.

Will anyone actually need 8.5Gbps?

For most households, no – at least not yet. Wi-Fi routers, devices, and even the servers you connect to online often can’t handle speeds that high. But the trial isn’t about today’s needs – it’s about future-proofing the network so the UK can keep up with rising demand.

The bigger picture

• Openreach’s £15bn fibre rollout has already reached 20 million premises, with plans to expand to 25 million by 2026 and up to 30 million by 2030.
• Testing new technology like XGS-PON ensures its huge network can continue to evolve without needing to rip out existing kit.
• Future consumer packages are expected to top out at 3.3Gbps, which is still far faster than today’s typical UK broadband speeds.

What this means for customers

If you live in Guildford, you may be among the first to experience some of the fastest broadband speeds in the UK – even if only on trial. For everyone else, it’s a sign that multi-gigabit broadband is on its way, and Openreach won’t let rival networks outpace it for long.