Heatwave: Brits log off early to take advantage of hot spell

• On Tuesday 30 March, Virgin Media recorded its quietest weekday for data uploads so far in 2021 as temperatures soared

• Upstream broadband traffic – which includes video calls and sending emails – dropped by 19% during the afternoon of the hottest day of the year as Brits logged off early to take advantage of the sunshine
• Meanwhile, Virgin Media reported record-breaking mobile traffic on the same day, with data usage up 13%
• Despite the continued warm weather, Virgin Media saw its biggest day for data downloads on Wednesday 31 March, as gamers rushed to download the latest Call of Duty: Warzone update

New data from Virgin Media reveals the nation logged off early to take advantage of Tuesday’s hot spell before the latest Call of Duty: Warzone update drove gamers back indoors the next day.

Coinciding with the mini heatwave and the relaxation of lockdown measures, Virgin Media recorded a 19% drop in afternoon upstream traffic – which includes video calls and sending emails – when comparing Tuesday 30 March, the hottest day of the year so far, with the average lockdown weekday.

But the soaring temperatures didn’t stop Brits logging on outdoors as the provider saw its busiest day for mobile traffic this year to date, with usage up by 13% on recent weeks. Meanwhile, Virgin Media’s 5G customers burnt through 7% more data as they made the most of faster speeds on-the-go.

Despite the continued warm weather, Virgin Media saw another record-breaking day on Wednesday 31 March, reporting its biggest day for downloads on record as gamers once again rushed to download the latest update of Call of Duty: Warzone. Gaming has exploded in popularity over the last year with online games becoming a social lifeline for many people throughout lockdown – a trend that is expected to persist even as Covid-19 restrictions are eased.

Jeanie York, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Virgin Media, said:

“Throughout the past year, data usage has continued to surge as people rely on broadband more than ever.

“However on Tuesday, we saw a noticeable drop in upstream traffic during the afternoon as people sought out the sunshine.

“As restrictions continue to lift, the country starts to bounce back and many people move towards more hybrid models of work, we expect broadband behaviour to shift once again. Whatever the future holds, we are committed to keeping our customers connected at home or on-the-go.”

The news follows a year of record-breaking traffic across Virgin Media’s network, with data usage steadily rising throughout the pandemic.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The upstream traffic decrease compares usage on Tuesday 30 March 2021 with average weekday figures from the year to date
• The mobile traffic increase compares usage on Tuesday 30 March 2021 with average weekday figures from the year to date
• The 5G mobile traffic increase compares usage on Tuesday 30 March 2021 with average weekday usage in March