UPD Virgin Media UK Claims New SuperHub Broadband Router is the Fastest

Cable operator Virgin Media (Liberty Global) has today announced the official launch of its new SuperHub V2 wireless broadband modem and router, which it describes as being the “fastest wireless hub in the UK” thanks to their new concurrent dual band wifi (5GHz and 2.4GHz) technology.

It goes without saying that the “new” SuperHub  (we’re apparently not allowed to call it V2) probably isn’t the “fastest” in the UK because there are many broadband routers that offer even better performance using more modern technology, although Virgin Media’s claim is later clarified to represent a comparison against BT’s Home Hub 3 (they haven’t tested it against BT’s new Hub4 yet), Sky Broadband’s Sky Hub (here) and TalkTalk’s kit (we’re not sure which one).

Furthermore Virgin Media states that it employed the University of Bristol and Farncombe’s independent WiFi testing service to check its new kit against their closest ISP-based competitors, which concluded that their new SuperHub “outperformed competitors on speed and range“.

Another somewhat vague remark said: “The equipment offers best in class 2.4GHz performance and was found to typically be 6-9% better than the competition during testing“.

Joe Lathan, Virgin Medias Director of Broadband, said:

“As the number of gadgets that connect to the internet grows, the more people need superfast broadband so everyone in the home can get online at the same time. Our Super Hubs are designed to help customers get the most from their fibre connections and we’ve designed our new Super Hub to deliver the best in-home WiFi experience for customers on our fastest speeds – those who regularly connect lots of devices to the internet at the same time.”

Virgin Media new SuperHub Specifications (NetGear)

Cable Chipset: Intel Puma 5

Maximum: 8×4 Doscis 3.0 channels

2.4GHz Wifi Radio: Qualcom Atheros AR9344 (300Mbps)

2.4 GHz Antennas: Two Spatial streams (2×2)

5GHz Wifi Radio: Qualcomm Atheros AR9580 (450Mbps)

5 GHz Antennas: Three Spatial streams (3×3)*

4 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports**

1x USB 2.0 port (this doesn’t currently have a specific function)

Size: 215mm high x 69mm Wide (at widest point) x 195mm Long

Weight: 520g (unit without PSU)

It’s understood that the existing, and much troubled, SuperHub device will continue to be supplied to customers on Virgin Media’s up to 30Mbps speed package but those who sign-up for their 60Mbps or faster service will get the new SuperHub.

Existing customers already on or upgrading to 60Mb or 100Mb broadband speeds can request the new Super Hub, though an installation fee of £49.95 will apply for these customers “to ensure they get the best in-home setup“.

UPDATE 5th June 2013

The University of Bristol has put out a press release that explains more about their testing process (here), which cleverly combines 3D antenna measurements with in-home virtual reality modelling.