GTA VI preloads have already broken traffic records before the game arrives in stores: on November 10, Virgin Media O2 recorded its highest daily data volume and its all-time peak traffic high, while DE-CIX set records in Frankfurt and across its global network.
The surge came as early downloads began for PlayStation and Xbox. According to Xataka, the PS5 preload started at midnight on the 10th, and the Xbox Series X/S preload followed an hour later. The strategy aims to spread downloads out ahead of launch, but GTA VI's data volume was enough to set new highs on broadband networks and internet exchange points.
Two records on the Virgin Media O2 network
Virgin Media O2 reported that Tuesday the 10th was its busiest day on record: it reached both its highest peak traffic and the largest daily data volume on its fixed network. The evening peak exceeded the previous record by 3.8%, which was associated with the Champions League semifinal between Arsenal and Atlético Madrid.
Daily volume, meanwhile, was 4% above the previous high, which Virgin Media O2 links to the launch of Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season on November 1. The company said that daily record was surpassed at 23:05 on the 10th, before the day was over.
Downloads were already noticeable during the first hour of preloading. Between midnight and 1:00, Virgin Media O2's broadband traffic was 51.6% higher than the previous week. By 9:00, the total volume of data downloaded since the start of the day was 73.3% higher than during the same period on Tuesday, November 3.
The figures refer to Virgin Media O2's fixed network and compare specific periods: the first hour with November 3, and the period from midnight to 9:00 with the same time slot on the previous Tuesday. The Independent also reported the daily high and the increase in traffic during the first hour, though it rounded the latter to 51%.
Frankfurt tops 22 terabits per second
DE-CIX, an operator of internet exchange points, recorded another surge on the same day. Its Frankfurt node reached 22.30 terabits per second at 20:20 CET, 19.06% above the record it had set in January 2026. Across all its exchanges, traffic reached 33.01 terabits per second, a global high for the company.
The increases were also reflected in the United States. DE-CIX reported new highs in Dallas, Phoenix, and Chicago, at 2.66 terabits per second, 212.34 gigabits per second, and 1.22 terabits per second, respectively.
| Network or node | Recorded high | Time and date |
|---|---|---|
| DE-CIX Frankfurt | 22.30 Tbit/s | November 10, 20:20 CET |
| DE-CIX, global network | 33.01 Tbit/s | Since preloads began |
| DE-CIX Dallas | 2.66 Tbit/s | November 10, 20:00 CST |
| DE-CIX Phoenix | 212.34 Gbit/s | November 10, 13:05 MST |
| DE-CIX Chicago | 1.22 Tbit/s | November 10, 20:20 CST |
DE-CIX's Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Thomas King, described the surge as unprecedented compared with other peaks linked to software updates or sports broadcasts.
“the sheer scale of this surge is unrivalled.”
— Dr. Thomas King, CTO of DE-CIX
DE-CIX said it keeps infrastructure utilization at or below 75% to preserve available capacity for unexpected increases. The company also noted that preloads spread some of the demand ahead of launch, though this does not eliminate the additional traffic that may arrive on release day.
Downloads of more than 200 GB
The game's size helps explain the scale of the data transfers. Xataka puts the installation at up to 212 GB, depending on the platform; DE-CIX refers to a download larger than 200 GB, and Virgin Media O2 says its customers with the Gig2 service can download a 190 GB version in under 15 minutes. The published figures are therefore not identical and describe different sizes.
Yahoo Tech cites Telekom estimates for connections at different speeds: a one-gigabit-per-second line would take around 28 minutes; a 50-megabit-per-second connection, about nine and a half hours; and a 10-megabit-per-second connection, more than 47 hours. These estimates are based on a 212 GB download.
In Germany, 1&1 reported an unusual increase overnight from November 9 to 10 on connections to PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. Its spokesperson said traffic to those services reached up to ten times the usual level for that time slot. Telekom also described far higher-than-normal volume during the first night of preloading.
Vodafone saw a small spike around 1:00 and, according to Xataka, preferred to wait another day before assessing the impact. In comments reported by Yahoo Tech, the company said preloading was spread over several days, smoothing out the sharpest peaks, although baseline traffic remained high.
Operators prepare for November 19
1&1 said the increase was not saturating its infrastructure and that it expected heavier usage around November 19. DE-CIX, for its part, said it keeps utilization at or below 75% to maintain headroom for unexpected peaks.
In the UK, Openreach—the company that manages the country's largest broadband network—has been monitoring the launch for some time. Its Director of Network Technology, Trevor Linney, told Eurogamer that the company will watch to see whether GTA VI sets a new download record and that its teams are prepared. The outlet also noted that Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, is coordinating with video game companies to prevent major launches from coinciding with events that drive up broadband usage.
Ofcom said networks should be able to handle the download. Its spokesperson noted that the UK's broadband code of practice requires providers to give clear and realistic information and guarantee a minimum speed; they also said that customers who do not receive that speed may have the right to leave their contract without penalty.
Anticipation and concentrated demand
A survey commissioned by Virgin Media O2 from Strand Partners asked 520 British adults who expect to play GTA VI. Conducted online on October 30 as part of a total sample of 1,006 adults, the poll found that 46% expect to download it before launch and 78% have changed or plan to change their schedules so they can play.
Among those expecting to play, 23% plan to stay up later or sleep less, and 22% want to set aside an entire weekend. Half of respondents who are employed and intend to play expect to take time off; a third of that group expect to request at least two days. In addition, 18% have checked or plan to check their broadband speed.
The survey also found that 45% expect to spend at least £50 on gaming equipment, not including the price of the game. Sixty-one percent said they are more excited about GTA VI than most film, television, music, or video game releases this year, and 53% consider it the highlight of their year. Participants estimate they will spend an average of 17 hours playing during its first week.
Virgin Media O2 also highlighted the case of Ciaran, a 31-year-old chef who upgraded his controller and speakers, paid for a professional PS5 cleaning, and booked a few days off. The company shared his experience as an example of the preparations some fans are making before returning to Vice City.
The immediate question is how much traffic will grow when the game launches on November 19. Those who have not yet downloaded the game will be joined by people starting to play and by possible patch or update downloads, a scenario Xataka identifies as the next test for networks.
Sources: Xataka, Eurogamer.net, Virgin Media O2, DE-CIX (press release, via Telecom Ramblings Newswire), The Independent, Yahoo Tech
