About Virgin Media broadband
Virgin is one of the most exciting broadband providers around. Not only does it offer a wide variety of great value bundles to get all your entertainment needs in one package, but it can deliver incredible ultrafast internet.
Want to find out what you can get with Virgin broadband and whether it's right for you? Read on!
Virgin Broadband packages and speeds
The vast majority of internet service providers (ISPs) run on the BT Openreach network to deliver ADSL or fibre optic broadband connections. These are the broadband packages offered not just by BT itself, but by other providers such as EE, Sky, and TalkTalk.
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What is Openreach?
Openreach is the company that maintains the former British Telecom Network used for the majority of broadband and phone services. If a repair or installation is required, it’s Openreach who will send an engineer, not your provider.
More than 650 service providers using the Openreach network. That’s the majority of the UK’s broadband providers. This includes Sky, TalkTalk and BT. The exception to this is Virgin Media - it uses its own, separate cable network.
But Virgin Media operates its own network. No other provider can access it, and this means it’s been able to upgrade speeds at a quicker rate than BT. Because of this, it now offers faster broadband to more people than any other network.
A little word of advice though, all the Virgin Media offers you'll see here are for new customers only.
Virgin Media currently offers the following home broadband packages, all of which have an 18-month contract length:
M50 Broadband
M50 is the entry-level Virgin Media superfast fibre Broadband package. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with a sluggish connection. It delivers an average speed of 54Mb, which is nearly five times as fast as standard ADSL phone line broadband.
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What does ADSL mean?
ADSL stands for ‘Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line’. It’s broadband technology that allows the transfer data across regular telephone lines. You can make calls at the same time as being connected to the internet.
An ADSL line will, at minimum, allow for a broadband connection of up to 8Mb. These days, that’s pretty slow and won’t allow you to do much other than emailing or basic web searches.
ADSL2+ is now available at nearly all exchanges across the UK with slightly faster data transfer rates of around 10-11Mb.
M125 Broadband
The M125 fibre broadband package provides a speedy 132Mb average download speed. This isn’t even Virgin’s top package, but it’s still significantly quicker than similarly priced deals from many other providers.
M250 Broadband
M250 fibre broadband delivers an average 264Mb download speed at prices that start from around £30 per month. If you’re looking to catch up on sport events, the Bigger Sports HD Combo package gives you access to both Sky Sport and TNT Sports Channels together.
M350 Broadband
M350 is Virgin’s entry-level ultrafast broadband, with an average download speed of 362Mb.
M500 Broadband
Virgin can also deliver a rapid 516Mb download speed with its M500 fibre broadband package. This is available as either a bundle with TV or as a standalone broadband only deal.
Gig1
Gig1 Fibre is Virgin’s cutting-edge gigabit broadband package. With some of the fastest speeds you’ll find for any broadband package in the UK. With this, you’ll get an average download speed of 1.1Gb and upload speed of 104Mb.
Can I get Virgin Media broadband only deals and broadband without a phone line?
As well as offering very fast broadband, Virgin Media also stands out as one of the fixed-line broadband providers that can deliver broadband without a phone line.
While you do need a Virgin network cable in your home, you don’t have to pay phone line rental to get Virgin Media broadband.
However, Virgin can also offer phone deals, so if you simply want phone and broadband only, that’s an option too.
Virgin Media Wi-Fi routers
When signing up to a new Virgin Media deal, you’ll get one of four different Wi-Fi hubs, depending on the package chosen. This could be either a Hub 3, Hub 4, Hub 5 or Hub 5x. These are some of the best broadband routers on the market, with decent Wi-Fi signal strength and a good range for a solid internet connection. If you’re lucky enough to get a Virgin Hub 5, you’ll have Wi-Fi 6, too.
For a full rundown of the Wi-Fi hubs you’ll get when you sign up to Virgin Media you can check out our Virgin Media router round-up.
Can I get Virgin Broadband?
If you’re a new customer looking to switch to Virgin, the first step to finding a Virgin broadband deal is checking availability using our broadband checker.
This is important because, sadly, Virgin is not available to everyone. Virgin operates its own network and it doesn’t have quite the same reach as providers that use the BT Openreach network. Coverage varies all over the country, and even if other homes in the same town can get Virgin Media services, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will too.
To make this easy, Broadband Genie has a free postcode checker. Enter your address below, and we’ll check a national database of exchanges and filter the results by location.
How does Virgin Broadband work?
The Virgin Media network uses a technology known as Hybrid-Fibre Coaxial or HFC. This means the core network is built on fast fibre optic lines to carry a signal to street side cabinets, and the final connection into homes and businesses is handled with coaxial cable.
This is pretty similar to most BT network fibre services, which use a technology called FTTC (Fibre To The Cabinet) instead. But in BT’s case, it uses fibre lines to the cabinet, and then a telephone line into your home.
The coaxial link is why Virgin Media broadband was, and sometimes still is, called ‘cable broadband’. However, Virgin now refers to its service as fibre broadband, and that’s mostly how you’ll see it referenced here on Broadband Genie.
Virgin Home Phone packages
As well as a decent broadband service, Virgin Media also offers call bundles. All Virgin phone customers get voicemail, 1471 and 141 services for free. You can also choose from a selection of inclusive call add-ons:
Evening & weekend chatter
Gives you unlimited calls to UK landlines and UK mobiles from 7pm to 7am Monday to Friday or all day Saturday and Sunday.
Anytime chatter
For anytime calls to UK landlines and mobiles.
International anytime chatter
As well as anytime calls to UK landlines and mobile, you’ll be able to make calls to mobiles and landlines in 50 destinations with the International Anytime Chatter phone service
Broadband and TV deals
Virgin Media is one of the leading TV providers in the UK. While known for its comprehensive premium services offering hundreds of TV channels, the range also includes more affordable entry-level bundles. All Virgin TV deals come with an excellent Virgin smart TV box and loads of extra content.
Here are a few of the packages currently available:
- 100+ channels including Sky Sports Racing
Virgin Media Big Bundle + Drama & Docs Pick
- 135+ channels including Discovery, CNBC and NHK World Japan
Virgin Media Bigger Movies Combo
- 200+ channels, including TNT Sports (BT Sport), Sky Sports and Sky Cinema HD
Virgin Media Biggest Combo Bundle
- 220+ channels, including Kids Pick, TNT Sports (BT Sport) HD, Sky, Sky Cinema HD and Netflix Standard included (available to new and current customers).
Virgin Media TV, Mobile and Broadband bundles
With a Virgin Media bundled broadband, TV and phone deal, you can combine Virgin TV and broadband with Priority from O2.
VOLT bundles include the following extras:
- Free Virgin Media broadband speed boost to the next level, if you’re not getting the top speed already (up to a max of 1Gb).
- Double mobile data for every O2 pay monthly mobile plan registered under your name in your household.
- Free Wi-Fi boosters, or "Wi-Fi Pods" as Virgin calls them, to extend Wi-Fi coverage in your home.
O2 SIM mobile plans also include the O2 travel zone. With that, you’ll get free roaming in 75 destinations around the world.
What extras can I get with my broadband?
All Virgin Media Broadband offers include a free Wi-Fi router. You’ll also get free access to the London Underground Wi-Fi network.
Virgin Broadband and TV deals include a free Virgin TV 360 box, with recording and integrated catch-up. Some TV packages also include access to a huge library of free on-demand content, with thousands of hours of boxsets to binge.
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For full details on Virgin Media and how it compares to other providers, read our Virgin Media review.
FAQs about Virgin Broadband
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How much is Virgin Broadband?
Virgin Broadband starts from under £30 per month. It’s one of the more expensive providers, but you can get much faster speeds than many other ISPs.
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Is Virgin Media broadband really that fast?
Virgin’s cheapest package provides an average 132Mb download speed. The top speed available to most homes is currently 1.1Gb, which is significantly faster than many other fibre providers. Virgin does also offer gigabit fibre broadband, but very few homes can get it right now.
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How long are Virgin Broadband contracts?
Most Virgin deals have an 18-month contract term minimum. If you think you may have to cancel within that minimum time, you should consider a rolling contract deal instead. Early cancellation unfortunately often winds up being expensive. Virgin does sometimes offer student broadband deals too, which come with a shorter 12-month contract.
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Are there upfront costs?
Virgin will occasionally offer free setup deals. There are also regular special offers with bill credits and vouchers which can offset this cost. You can visit our Virgin rewards page for the latest news on free gifts and extras.
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How do I switch to Virgin Broadband?
Switching to Virgin Broadband works a little differently to most other broadband providers because it’s not using the BT Openreach network. With Openreach providers, the new ISP manages the switch and notifies your old provider. But when switching broadband to Virgin, you’ll have to manually cancel your old provider. Read our guide to switching broadband for more help.
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Does Virgin Media have good customer service?
Virgin Media gets mixed reviews for its customer service. In our most recent Home Broadband Survey, Virgin had a customer care rating of 65.1%, which was below average. In Ofcom’s 2023 Customer Service Report, it found the average call waiting time was significantly above the average. For a more in-depth look at this, you can visit our Virgin Media Broadband review.
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How do I contact Virgin?
Call Virgin customer services on 0345 454 1111, or 150 from a Virgin mobile or home phone. For more contact information, visit our guide to Virgin customer service.
How do I cancel Virgin Broadband?
To cancel Virgin, you should first check your contract end date. If you cancel while still in contract, you’ll have to pay an early termination fee.
And unless you no longer need broadband at all, you should check your postcode to see what other deals are available to switch to.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to contact Virgin to cancel. Make sure you read our guide to cancelling Virgin Media for full details.
We also have these other handy articles:
- Switching from Virgin Media to BT Broadband
- Switching from Virgin Media to Sky Broadband
- Switching from Virgin Media to TalkTalk
- Switching to a broadband provider on the Openreach network
Summary
If you’re looking into a Virgin Media broadband deal, we recommend using our deals checker to see what’s available in your area. Virgin Media offers superfast broadband without the need for a landline. It’s not the cheapest broadband package and it’s not available everywhere, but if you can get it? The speeds are worth it.
Virgin Media customers are generally happy with their speed, but the customer service isn’t always the best. There are also plenty of perks, including Wi-Fi access in London Underground stations.
If speed is what you’re after, Virgin Media is a great choice.