Openreach to Trial 8.5 Gbps UK broadband speeds in Q1 2026

Openreach plans to start trialling broadband speeds up to 8.5 Gbps in Guildford

Openreach has confirmed (via ISPReview) that it plans to start trialling full-fibre broadband using 10 Gbps-capable XGS-PON technology in early 2026. The trial will cover approximately 40,000 premises in Guildford and deliver download speeds of up to 8.5 Gbps.

Currently, Openreach’s network is primarily based on GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) technology. This limits each trunk line on the network to speeds ot 2.5 Gbps downstream and 1.24 Gbps upstream. These trunk lines need to be shared by several premises. As such, Openreach’s fastest asymmetric broadband speeds to consumers are 1.8 Gbps download speeds and 120 Mbps upload speeds. By deploying XGS-PON technology, Openreach will be able to provide higher speeds to consumers and businesses.

Below is what Openreach has told ISPReview about their planned XGS-PON trial;

We recently told customers that we’ll be running a pilot of XGS-PON in the Guildford area, covering around 40,000 premises, and starting between January and March, 2026.

As part of the pilot, we’re exploring the full range of speed capabilities offered by the technology including symmetric 3.3Gbps and asymmetric options up to 8.5Gbps. This will help us understand how best to support future customer demand.

It’s important to say that this is a trial at this stage, so the higher speed tiers shouldn’t be taken as a commitment to launch products.

We’re continuing to assess the nationwide demand for products that this technology might enable.

– Openreach

During their Guldford trial, Openreach plans to offer symmetric speed options of 3.3 Gbps and asymmetric options of up to 8.5 Gbps. Note that this is not a commitment from Openreach that it will provide products with these speeds in the future. After all, this trial is essentially a large-scale test of equipment. Regardless, these are impressive broadband speeds.

This rollout will have the usual downsides of high-end broadband. While the maximum networking speeds will be impressive, users will often be let down by the limits of their devices or the limits of the servers that provide them with data. For 8.5 Gbps network speeds, users would need 10G Ethernet for their PCs to harness these speeds. Right now, those capabilities are rare outside of the highest-end PC motherboards.

You can join the discussion on Openreach trialling 8.5 Gbps broadband speeds on the OC3D Forums.