Your guide to Virgin Media broadband packages
Dan Howdle
If you live somewhere you can get it, Virgin Media broadband is a solid option. Forget about the negative customer reviews doing the rounds – with its 99.88% uptime, excellent equipment and very fast broadband, most of its customers experience a flawless service with a raft of benefits unique to Virgin Media.
You've no doubt already checked to see whether you can get it using our Virgin Media postcode checker at the top of the page. But, if you're down here reading, what you're really looking for is more information and, hopefully, we can cover everything you need to know about getting a Virgin Media broadband deal and answer any question or questions you may have.
For a better idea of what we think of Virgin Media broadband, read our Virgin Media broadband review.
Key features
- Wide range of packages – Virgin Media offers a variety of broadband packages, ranging from M50 (54Mbps) to Gig1 (1.1Gbps), and the severely availability-limited Gig2 (2Gbps), catering to everyone from casual users to gamers and beyond
- Reliable Wi-Fi coverage – Virgin Media’s Wi-Fi Guarantee ensures strong coverage throughout your home, with the option to add Wi-Fi Pods for enhanced reception in areas with weak signal
- Volt bundles with O2 SIMs – Combine Virgin Media broadband with an O2 SIM through Volt bundles, which offer double mobile data and faster broadband speeds (unless you're already on the top speed)
- Great router with all packages – Virgin Media provides either the Hub 3 or Hub 5 (Hub 4 was discontinued) depending on your package. The top-tier Gig2 plan comes with the Hub 5X
- Great Virgin Media broadband and TV bundles – You can bundle your broadband with TV, phone, and mobile for added convenience on billing and the chance to save some money
- No landline required – Virgin Media broadband does not require a phone line, making it an ideal if you just want broadband. It used to have this market to itself, but other Full Fibre providers have caught up on this front. Still a feature, but no longer an exclusive one
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Broadband speeds and pricing
Virgin Media was the first widely available provider to offer speeds in excess of 1Gbps. And its 1.1Gbps 'Gig1' service remains a headliner. As with all Virgin Media broadband packages, it's reliable, well-priced, and feature-rich. And there's even now a Gig2 package reaching an almost incomprehensible 2Gbps, albeit only to around 3% of UK homes. But those flagship packages aren't the full story, and most people would be well advised to choose something a little less high-end.
The sweet spot for many households in 2024 – in the opinion of BestBroadbandDeals.co.uk – remains Virgin Media's M125. 132Mbps is enough to cover multiple 4K video streams, home office work, and still have enough room left over for gamers to not have to wait days for the latest titles to download. It's also in the sweet spot when it comes to price/value in our opinion, faring well against competitors offering similar speeds.
With several speed tiers available above M125, there's plenty of room to go faster though, should you need the extra oomph. All packages up to M500 are on the same Hub 3 router, so faster speeds can be switched on in an instant, should you need to upgrade.
On the other hand, should you be in a household of avid gamers and downloaders, you may just want the fastest speed you can get, and that's going to be Gig1, or Gig2 if you happen to be one of the lucky 3% who can get it. Gig1 has its own router, the Hub 5, so if this speed is where you think you'll end up, it's best to dive straight in rather than get a lower speed and work your way up.
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What our expert says...
"Discounting the very limited Gig2 service, Virgin Media is no longer the fastest broadband available to a wide audience – that award goes to EE Broadband and Vodafone Broadband, both of which offer a 1.6Gbps service to about 75% of the UK. However, neither of those providers can compete when it comes to bundle options or indeed for value for money."
Dan Howdle, Broadband and mobile expert
Types of broadband packages
Virgin Media offers a wide range of broadband packages – something for everyone, in fact. Whether you're looking for broadband only or prefer to bundle it with TV, phone, or an O2 SIM, there’s an option to suit you. Here's a breakdown of what Virgin Media has to offer:
- Virgin Media broadband only deals – If you just need internet access, Virgin offers broadband-only packages with no phone line required. You can choose from speeds starting at 132Mbps, right up to their ultrafast Gig2 option, delivering speeds of 2Gbps – ideal if you need fast and reliable broadband for demanding activities
- Virgin Media broadband and phone bundles – You can pair most Virgin Media broadband packages with a phone line. If you still use a landline, this is a useful option, and you can also add call packages, such as inclusive weekend or anytime calls, depending on your needs
- Virgin Media broadband, TV, and phone bundles – Virgin Media offers bundles that combine broadband with TV services and a phone line. These packages give you access to a vast number of TV channels along with fast broadband and capable phone services. This is a great option if you’re looking to have all your services under one provider
- Volt bundles (broadband + O2 SIM) – Virgin Media's Volt bundles combine broadband with O2 mobile plans. If you need both services, these bundles provide that, plus you get additional perks like faster a broadband speed and extra mobile data
- Gig2 Fibre (limited availability) – If you live in selected areas, Virgin Media’s Gig2 package offers astonishing speeds of up to 2Gbps. No one needs broadband this fast, but that hasn't stopped Virgin Media. The Gig2 package also comes with Virgin's most advanced router – the Hub 5x – designed to handle multiple simultaneous high-speed connections
You don’t need to be a Virgin TV or phone customer to sign up for Virgin Media broadband, but you do need to be a Virgin Media broadband customer to get Virgin TV.
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