A new benchmark for London homes
Community Fibre has connected its first residential customer to 8.5 Gbps broadband in Beckton, Newham. The installation on 16 September lifts the fastest speed available in the capital from 5 Gbps to 8.5 Gbps. Both the new tier and the existing 5 Gbps service stay exclusive to Community Fibre and run at the same speed in both directions.
Built for heavy use
The provider says the package targets households running multiple 4K streams, cloud backups, high-definition video calls and AI tools at once. Average data use has risen sixfold in ten years, and Community Fibre's network now passes 1.4 million homes with more than 450,000 customers already connected. The company owns its full-fibre infrastructure and plans further multi-gig upgrades.
Rival moves and what it means
EE already offers 8 Gbps full-fibre lines in selected areas. Community Fibre's step keeps it ahead on raw speed in London while most providers still focus on 1 Gbps products. Peter Rampling, Chief Commercial Officer at Community Fibre, said:
"Every major advance in connectivity has changed how people live, work and interact with technology. What once felt unnecessary quickly becomes indispensable.
"Bringing 8.5 Gbps broadband into a London home is another significant step in that journey. It demonstrates what's possible when world-class infrastructure is paired with relentless innovation and long-term investment.
"Community Fibre has consistently stayed ahead of demand, leading the transition to multi-gig broadband and building a network designed for the future. As AI applications, cloud services, immersive entertainment and connected devices continue to grow, we're ensuring Londoners have the connectivity needed for the next generation of digital experiences."
Check availability on our broadband pages if you live in its footprint.
