Sky vs Virgin Broadband Deals

When deciding between two of the UK’s best broadband providers, Sky and Virgin Media, you should see what each one offers. Sky is known for its great customer service and a wide range of TV packages, including special channels like Sky Atlantic. On the other hand, Virgin Media provides some of the fastest broadband speeds in the UK, using its own cable network. Both companies aim for different users.

Sky vs Virgin Media: Key Comparison

Broadband Speeds and Performance

Broadband speed matters a lot for every home. It is important for streaming shows, playing games, and using several devices at once. Let’s look at how Sky broadband stacks up against Virgin Media broadband.

Virgin Media Broadband Speeds

Virgin Media is famous for its very fast broadband speeds. This makes it a good option for people who use the internet a lot. With its own cable network, it offers download speeds of up to 1.13Gbps with the Gig1 Fibre Broadband package. They have also launched Gig2 broadband, which can reach 2Gbps in certain areas.

• Download Speed Range: 132 Mbps to 1.13 Gbps (up to 2 Gbps in some areas)
• Upload Speeds: Up to 104 Mbps
• Network Technology: Coaxial cable and fibre

Sky Broadband Speeds

Sky gives dependable broadband via the Openreach network. It has speeds that work well for both small homes and users who need a lot of internet. If you pick the Gigafast plan, you can get speeds up to 900 Mbps.

• Download Speed Range: From 61 Mbps to 900 Mbps
• Upload Speeds: As high as 100 Mbps
• Network Technology: Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) and Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

Broadband Speeds Verdict

• Winner: Virgin Media. It offers speeds of up to 1.13Gbps. This gives Virgin Media a strong advantage in high-speed broadband.

TV Packages and Entertainment

Both Sky and Virgin Media are great at TV bundles. They offer many choices, like live TV, on-demand content, and premium channels.

Sky TV

Sky’s TV packages offer more than 150 channels. This includes popular options like Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, and Sky Atlantic, which is only available on Sky. The Sky Stream service allows you to watch all this content online. You do not need a satellite dish anymore.

• Unique Features: All packages come with Netflix and let you access over 500 box sets.
• Popular Shows: Enjoy HBO hits like House of the Dragon and original shows from Sky.

Sky TV Packages

Virgin Media TV

Virgin Media offers more than 210 channels. This includes TNT Sports and Sky TV content, such as Sky Sports. However, Sky Atlantic is not available. You can access their TV services through the Virgin TV 360 box or the Flex streaming service.

• Unique Features: Has a traditional set-top box and allows you to record live TV.
• Popular Shows: Provides content from Freeview, Netflix, and TNT Sports.

Virgin Media TV Packages

TV Packages Verdict

• Winner: Sky. The addition of Sky Atlantic and a smooth Sky Stream service make it the better pick for high-quality TV shows.

Router Technology and Features

The router you get from your internet provider is very important for the quality and reliability of your Wi-Fi. Virgin Media and Sky both provide top routers. These routers are designed to give you fast speeds, great coverage, and smooth connections. Let’s take a closer look at what they offer.

Virgin Media Hub

Hub 5

The Virgin Media Hub 5 comes with Gig1 Fibre Broadband packages. It is built to support high broadband speeds of up to 1.13Gbps. Here are some of its great features:

• Wi-Fi 6 Compatibility: This supports the newest Wi-Fi standard. It offers faster speeds, lower delays, and better performance on several devices.
• Mesh Network Support: The built-in mesh technology removes Wi-Fi dead spots. This gives steady connections in bigger homes.
• Multiple Ethernet Ports: There are four Ethernet ports for direct and reliable links to gaming consoles, smart TVs, or home phones.
• Own Network Optimisation: The Hub 5 uses Virgin Media’s own cable network. This guarantees steady performance for broadband customers even during busy times.

Hub 3

The Virgin Media Hub 3 comes with the cheaper broadband plans. It can support fast broadband, but it does not have some of the advanced features that are in the Hub 5.

• Dual-Band Wi-Fi: Works with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for better connection options.
• Good Value for Basic Users: A great choice for small homes with few devices.
• Limited Advanced Features: Lacks Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and mesh networking. This makes it less ideal for homes with heavy use.

Sky Broadband Hub

Sky Max Hub

The Sky Max Hub is part of the Wi-Fi Max add-on. This makes it one of the best routers for Sky broadband customers. Here are some key features:

• Wi-Fi 6 Compatibility: It offers faster packages. This means better connection for homes with many devices streaming or gaming at the same time.
• Mesh Networking: You can expand Wi-Fi coverage in your home. This makes sure there is a strong signal in every room.
• Parental Controls: It has strong parental controls through Sky Broadband Shield. This lets families control access to certain websites and content.
• Excellent Choice for Heavy Users: It is great for homes using Sky Q, Sky Glass, or smart devices that need a stable connection.

Sky Hub

The Sky Hub is the normal router given with many broadband bundles. It works well for everyday users, but it has fewer advanced features than the Max Hub.

• Dual-Band Wi-Fi: It supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This makes it great for browsing, streaming, and light gaming.
• Ethernet Ports: There are several ports for connecting directly to devices like desktop PCs or smart TVs.
• Good Value for Smaller Homes: It is made for homes with basic internet needs. It offers good value because it is reliable.

Router Verdict

Both providers are great at offering high-quality routers. They understand what broadband customers need. However, each has its own strengths.

• Virgin Media Hub 5: This is a top choice for Virgin Media broadband customers with Gig1 packages. It works well because of its Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, mesh support, and it can handle faster packages.
• Sky Max Hub: A great option for families with several devices and premium TV deals like Sky Q or Sky Glass. It offers a broad range of speeds and stronger parental controls.
• Tie for Basic Plans: For basic plans, both the Sky Hub and Virgin Media Hub 3 give reliable service. However, they do not include advanced features like Wi-Fi 6 or mesh technology.

Additional Features and Benefits

Virgin Media Hub Advantages

• It is optimised for Virgin Media’s own network. This means it gives steady speeds across a range of speeds.
• It is made for Virgin Media broadband bundles. This ensures it works well with TV services such as Virgin TV 360 and Flex.
• It works well with Mega Volt bundles. These bundles mix broadband services, mobile phone services, and TV packages for better value.

Sky Broadband Hub Advantages

• Better compatibility with Sky Q and Sky Glass makes it easy to use broadband and TV deals together.
• Options like weekend calls and parental controls help families feel more flexible.
• Broadband customers can trust reliable connections while using Sky Broadband Shield for safe browsing.

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Customer Service and Trustpilot Reviews

Sky Customer Service

• Trustpilot Reviews: 14,815 reviews with a TrustScore of 1.3 out of 5, labelled as “Bad”.
• Ofcom Complaints: 6 per 100,000 customers, which is lower than the industry average of 10. This shows better service reliability.

Trustpilot Rating Breakdown for Sky

Key Insights from Sky Reviews:

• Positive Feedback: People liked how easy it is to manage TV and broadband services with Sky Glass and Sky Q.
• Common Complaints: Many users had issues with long waiting times for help and sometimes faced problems with broadband connection.

Virgin Media Customer Service

• Trustpilot Reviews: 95,398 reviews with a TrustScore of 1.4 out of 5, labelled as “Bad”.
• Ofcom Complaints: 18 complaints per 100,000 customers, the highest for UK broadband providers.

Trustpilot Rating Breakdown for Virgin Media

Key Insights from Virgin Media Reviews:

• Positive Feedback: Customers like fast broadband speeds, broadband bundles, and options like Virgin TV 360 and Mega Volt bundles.
• Common Complaints: Problems include billing accuracy, slow complaint fixes, and service outages.

Ofcom Complaints Report Reference

According to the Ofcom Complaints Report 2023:

• Sky had only 6 complaints for every 100,000 customers. This shows their commitment to good customer care.
• Virgin Media had 18 complaints for every 100,000 customers. Most of these complaints came from issues with billing and service.

Customer Service Verdict

Winner: Sky

Sky offers a better experience for customers. There are fewer complaints and it has a strong reputation for being reliable. On the other hand, Virgin Media has faster broadband speeds and good TV deals. However, it has issues with consistent service and solving complaints.

FAQs About Sky vs Virgin Media Broadband