Weekly Brief – 8th May 2026

Virgin Media sets broadband traffic record during Champions League

Virgin Media O2 has recorded the biggest broadband traffic spike in its history during a Champions League semi-final match this week, with peak downstream traffic hitting record levels between 8pm and 10pm on 5th May. The peak was 17% higher than the average of Tuesday evening, and was 4.2% higher than the previous peak in November 2025. The company haven’t actually disclosed what the traffic levels were, however.

Point Topic analyses the overlap of Netomnia/nexfibre merger

Point Topic highlights why the CMA’s review of nexfibre’s proposed acquisition of Netomnia/Substantial is likely to focus less on national market share and more on local fibre overlap. Its Q1 2026 analysis identifies around 832,000 premises and 34,000 postcodes where Virgin Media/nexfibre and Netomnia networks already overlap, with concentrations in the North West, Wales and the Midlands. The article argues that retail choice can overstate true infrastructure competition, particularly where many providers rely on Openreach. Point Topic suggests that CMA’s decision could therefore become an important marker for how future UK altnet consolidation is assessed.

Pulse Fibre go into Administration

Altnet Pulse Fibre have fallen into administration. The news picked up by ISPreview says that the company has issued a notice of intention to appoint an administrator. Back in 2024 they set out plans to reach 250,000 fibre connections into new build properties but it looks as though those plans are now in doubt.