GTA 6 is already making its presence felt across broadband networks, with providers reporting record traffic, offering free speed upgrades and, in one case, warning customers that the rush to download Rockstar’s game has slowed connections.
With downloads reaching around 212GB depending on the platform and edition, preloading has become a significant event ahead of the game’s November 19 release. The response ranges from temporary upgrades for customers in the UK and US to efforts to manage congestion.
Gigaclear and Xfinity Offer Free Speed Boosts
In the UK, Gigaclear is automatically increasing eligible customers’ broadband speeds at no extra charge to help them prepare for GTA 6.
According to HotMinute, the rollout covers more than 175,000 customers, with eligible connections due to receive their boost by November 16.
Customers on packages between 100Mbps and 400Mbps could see speeds increase to as much as 500Mbps, while some on 600Mbps packages could reach 900Mbps. The upgrade depends on their equipment, and customers already receiving 900Mbps will see no change. Gigaclear says the temporary boost will remain in place for launch day.
Across the Atlantic, Comcast’s Xfinity is offering eligible customers a free 15-day upgrade, raising download speeds to as much as 2Gbps.
Unlike Gigaclear’s automatic rollout, Xfinity customers need to claim the offer through the Xfinity app or their membership page. The company expects the November 10–19 preload and launch period could become its busiest week of network traffic ever.
Virgin Media Reports Its Busiest Broadband Day Ever
Virgin Media O2 has already recorded two network records as players download GTA 6 ahead of release.
The provider said that Tuesday, November 10 delivered both its highest-ever daily data volume and its biggest broadband traffic peak.
Total daily data usage exceeded the previous record, set during the launch of Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season, by 4%. Peak traffic also surpassed the record established during Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid by 3.8%.
YouFibre Warns of Congestion as European Traffic Surges
For some YouFibre customers, however, the impact went beyond unusually busy networks.
As reported by Forbes, the UK provider emailed customers to explain that demand for GTA 6 downloads had caused a network capacity issue and reduced download speeds.
YouFibre chief executive Jeremy Chelot also acknowledged congestion affecting customers around Yorkshire, saying the provider was working to rebalance traffic. ISPreview subsequently reported that emergency traffic management had resolved the issue.
Elsewhere in Europe, providers have reported substantial increases in demand. According to Push Square, German ISP 1&1 recorded traffic to PlayStation Network and Xbox Live reaching roughly ten times normal levels overnight between November 9 and 10.
GlobalConnect Sweden also reported a 50% traffic increase on the night preloading began, with providers in Denmark and Estonia seeing similar surges.
