Virgin Media Broadband | Our Expert Review

Jonathan Victoria • 30 Jan 2024

Thinking about switching to Virgin Media? Here's everything you need to know.

What is Virgin Media Broadband?

Virgin Media is one of the UK’s leading broadband suppliers, offering fast and reliable fibre and full-fibre broadband based on their own line.

With a large host of packages offering some of the best speeds in the industry, it’s easy to see why Virgin Media is popular.

What network does Virgin Media Broadband use?

Virgin Media use its own network as opposed to using the widely available Openreach that the likes of its competitors use.

This way, Virgin can have full control over its network and be able to better control the areas it can operate in.

They use much faster fibre cables than that of Openreach, which provides better overall speeds.

Is Virgin Media Broadband any good?

With a great range of speeds and an even better selection of package deals, Virgin Media are certainly one of the best providers.

Here are some strengths of Virgin Media that make them so good:

• Fantastic package deals – Many packages combine their broadband with some of their other top services such as TV
• Unbeatable speeds – Virgin Media offers some of the fastest upload and download speeds in the industry
• Unlimited usage – All broadband packages come with unlimited usage, so you can surf, play and stream to your heart's content!

How fast are Virgin Media's Broadband speeds?

Virgin Media offers some of the fastest speeds of all UK providers, with their lowest speed coming in at 132Mbps and the fastest being a whopping 1130Mbps.

All their speeds could handle a family of four upwards that have moderate to heavy broadband usage. While the lowest package offering 132Mbps would be enough, by opting for the very best you could get, you can ensure everyone gets incredibly fast speeds and limit the risk of overloading the connection.

• M125 Fibre – 132Mbps download, 20Mbps upload
• M250 Fibre – 264Mpbs download, 25Mbps upload
• M350 Fibre – 362Mbps download, 36Mbps upload
• M500 Fibre – 516Mbps download, 36Mbps upload
• Gig1 Fibre – 1130Mbps download, 52Mbps upload

How much is Virgin Media Broadband?

Where Virgin Media has one of the fastest services to offer, they do come at a slightly higher price point, but not any more so than that of their direct rivals.

You can also often find many of their packages on offer, so be sure to keep checking regularly here or on their site to not miss out on a great deal.

Virgin Media Broadband packages

The following packages are the broadband-only packages we have on offer here on Broadband Finder. 

The prices are that of the standard price, but as mentioned, there are often deals running so you will likely find these packages much cheaper here on our site or on Virgin Media’s site, as well as over the phone.

You can also find these same broadband packages plus a phone line for an extra £8 on that standard price (not available with Gig1 Fibre).

Note: Prices may change during your contract. Virgin Media will give you adequate notice via your preferred contact method although usually by email about any pricing changes.

Prices correct as of 30/01/24.

Virgin Media Broadband + other services

Virgin Media offers various other brilliant services other than broadband, including TV and mobile.

Better yet, they have several packages that include broadband and some (or even all) of the other services so provide you with a great deal.

Here are the package deals you can get with Virgin Media. Again, these are the standard prices. You will likely find them at a reduced deal price right now:

Note: Prices may change during your contract. Virgin Media will give you adequate notice via your preferred contact method although usually by email about any pricing changes.

Prices correct as of 30/01/24.

Virgin Media Broadband & TV

Virgin Media offers a brilliant TV service with all the channels you would need. Their base TV service comes with an entertainment package that includes all the main channels you’d expect, such as the various BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 sister channels, all in HD.

As for sports and/or movies, they can either be added on to your package or purchased as a ready-made package. There are two packages that have either one or the other, and one big package that includes them all.

The packages that include sports will provide you with all 11 Sky Sports channels so you can watch the exclusive sports that Sky has to offer, including F1 and PGA Tour golf as well as Premier League football and more.

With the movie packages, you get all the Sky Cinema channels in HD and Film4 HD, supplying you with countless hours of great films.

Virgin Media TV packages come with the TV 360 box, a 4K-ready box and system that’s easy to use and comes with voice and search functionality in the controller amongst other great features.

Virgin Media O2 - Volt

Virgin Media and O2 merged back in June 2021 to create Virgin Media O2, allowing the two companies to offer their services together.

What this means is that there are a number of Virgin Media broadband and TV packages that also include O2 mobile services. These packages are identifiable by the name Volt.

You can get the same package deals as the ones listed above, only with Volt benefits, meaning you can also get an O2 SIM card with a set amount of data and unlimited minutes and texts.

The broadband-only packages with line rental are also available as Volt bundles, giving you a home phone and a new mobile plan.

As a Virgin Media and O2 customer, you can benefit from the two companies' partnership even if you don’t purchase a Volt package. You will still gain Volt benefits, such as double data on your O2 mobile plan.

Here are the Volt package deals available via Broadband Finder online:

Note: Prices may change during your contract. Virgin Media will give you adequate notice via your preferred contact method although usually by email about any pricing changes.

Prices correct as of 30/01/24.

Virgin Media Broadband: Technical specs & installation

Virgin Media has four hubs available for their range of broadband. Each one provides their high-speed WiFi, gigabit Ethernet and support for WiFi 5 or 6.

The four hubs available are: 

• Virgin Media Hub 3
• Virgin Media Hub 4
• Virgin Media Hub 5
• Virgin Media Hub 5x

All new customers for Gig1 Fibre will receive a Virgin Media Hub 5, with the 5x hub coming to all new FTTP customers in the future. The reason for this is that the Hub 5 comes with WiFi 6, the latest in WiFi technology, as opposed to WiFi 5 which is used on the Hub 4.

The Virgin Media Hub 3 is for customers who opt for the M125, M250, M350 and M500 packages. Here are the main specs for each hub:

Virgin Media Hub 3

Dual-band WiFi radio with 5 antennas, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, WiFi 5, 4x 1Gbps Ethernet ports. WPS & WiFi Pod compatibility as extras

Virgin Media Hub 4

Dual-band WiFi radio with 7 antennas, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, WiFi 5, 4x 1Gbps Ethernet ports. WPS & WiFi Pod compatibility as extras

Virgin Media Hub 5

Dual-band WiFi radio with 7 antennas, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, WiFi 6, 3x 1Gbps Ethernet ports, 1x 2.5Gbps Ethernet port. WPS & WiFi Pod compatibility as extras

Virgin Media Hub 5x

Dual-band WiFi radio with 7 antennas, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, WiFi 6, 3x 1Gbps Ethernet ports, 1x 10Gbps Ethernet port. WPS & WiFi Pod compatibility as extras

Installation

As Virgin Media uses its own network, new customers are likely going to need an engineer to come out and install the line to their property if it hasn’t been installed already.

This requires some work inside and outside the property, so it would take some time and likely come with costs. Virgin Media has a price guide that you can check out on their website that details how much you may be charged.

How to contact Virgin Media Broadband

Virgin Media customers can contact customer services both online and via phone. On the Virgin Media website, you’ll be able to use a live chat feature that connects directly to a customer services team member, which is generally easier than calling. 

There are also many FAQs that you can find on the site which might solve your problem without having to contact customer services or get an engineer in.

If you’re looking to purchase a new Virgin Media package, you can also phone us at Broadband Finder on 020 4525 0224.

Virgin Media Broadband: Best bits

• Unlimited full-fibre broadband
• Incredibly fast speeds
• Great range of packages
• Competitively priced

Virgin Media Broadband: What we think

Virgin Media are one of the biggest providers in the UK for a reason. They offer some of the fastest speeds around and have multiple packages suitable for all needs.

With many offers running on all their packages, Virgin Media offers great value for money.