Virgin Media Gig2 Fibre Broadband: Up to 2Gbps Speeds

July 24th, 2024
Virgin Media Gig2 Fibre Broadband: Up to 2Gbps Speeds

Content in this article

Key Highlights:

Virgin Media's Gig2 lets you download and upload things super fast, with speeds of up to 2Gbps.

  1. Great for big families, folks who love gaming, and those who use the internet a lot.
  2. Over 1 million homes in the UK will have it by 2024.
  3. Comes with Virgin Media's promise of a dependable WiFi connection.
  4. Get extra perks when you combine it with mobile services
  5. Internet speeds much faster than what most people get in the UK

What Is Virgin Media Gig2 Fibre Broadband?

Virgin Media's Gig2 fibre broadband is the company's fastest internet offering, delivering lightning-quick speeds of up to 2Gbps. This cutting-edge service utilises full fibre technology, providing a dedicated fibre optic connection directly to your home.

Gig2 operates on a Passive Optical Network (PON) infrastructure, ensuring minimal signal loss and maximum speed potential. This technology allows for symmetrical download and upload speeds, a game-changer for users who frequently upload large files or engage in video conferencing.

How Does Gig2 Fibre Broadband Work?

Gig2 provides super fast internet using a system where signals pass without extra power. This means:

  1. You have your own fibre line running straight to your house.
  2. Information zips along as fast as light does.
  3. The signal stays clear and strong with hardly any loss.
  4. Your upload speeds are just as quick as your download speeds.

What Are the Key Features of Gig2?

  1. Ultrafast speeds: Up to 2Gbps for both downloads and uploads
  2. Symmetrical connection: Equal upload and download speeds
  3. Low latency: Great for online gaming and video calls
  4. Reliable service: Uses Virgin Media's robust fibre network
  5. WiFi guarantee: Ensures good speed in every room
  6. Unlimited data: No caps or slowdowns

As of 2024, more than 1 million UK homes will have access to Gig2 thanks to Virgin Media. They are quickly expanding to cover more places.

James Ford Broadband Deals Reviewed by James Ford, TV and Broadband Expert

Fibre 1

  • New customers only
  • Price locked until April 2025
  • Up to £3/month saving for existing mobile contract customers
35Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£24.00per month

Full Fibre 75

  • New customers only
75Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£25.00per month

Gig1 fibre broadband only

  • New customers only
  • Exclusive perks from O2 priority
1130Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
18 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£39.99per month

How Does Gig2 Help Different Types of Families?

Large Families and Shared Homes

Gig2 is a game-changer for busy households:

  1. Can handle over 100 devices connected at the same time.
  2. Lets you watch multiple 4K and 8K videos without any loading delays.
  3. Keeps video calls clear, no matter how many people join.
  4. Makes sharing files and backing up to the cloud faster.
  5. Great for smart homes that have a ton of gadgets.

In big houses, Gig2 makes sure the Wi-Fi signal is strong everywhere. This is perfect for families where everyone is using the internet at once.

Gamers and Streamers

For folks who love video games and those who make stuff about them, Gig2 has:

  1. Very little delay for quick online gaming
  2. Really fast game downloads (get 100GB in roughly 7 minutes)
  3. Easy and smooth game streaming on places like Google Stadia
  4. Speed stays the same, even when a lot of people are online
  5. Many players can game at once in one house

Gig2 helps players do really well in quick online games. It also stops game updates from making you slower.

Remote Workers and Students

Gig2 makes working or studying from home easy with broadband speed boost:

  1. Very clear video calls without delays
  2. Fast entry to tools online
  3. Quick sharing and updating of files
  4. Stable internet for online learning and tests
  5. Can handle many home offices at the same time

With Gig2, your internet won't cut out when you're on important calls or doing online tests.

How Does Gig2 Compare to Other Broadband Options?

Virgin Media's Broadband Packages

Here's a comparison of Gig2 with other Virgin Media plans:

Package Download Speed Upload Speed Best For
Gig2 2Gbps 2Gbps Large households, heavy users, gamers
Gig1 1.13Gbps 52Mbps Multiple 4K streams, big file transfers
M500 516Mbps 36Mbps 4K streaming, several users
M350 362Mbps 36Mbps HD streaming, average use
M250 264Mbps 25Mbps General browsing, light streaming

All these plans give you endless data. So, you won't have to stress over paying more.

Gig2 vs Other UK Broadband Providers

Gig2 offers one of the quickest home internet options in the UK. Let's see how it stands out:

Provider Fastest Package Max Download Max Upload
Virgin Media Gig2 2Gbps 2Gbps
BT Full Fibre 900 900Mbps 110Mbps
Sky Ultrafast Plus 500Mbps 60Mbps
TalkTalk Future Fibre 900 900Mbps 110Mbps
Vodafone Pro Gigafast 910Mbps 110Mbps

Keep in mind, the real speed you get can change. It depends on your location and how busy the internet is.

How Can You Get Virgin Media Gig2 Fibre Broadband?

Checking If Gig2 Is Available in Your Area

To see if you can get Gig2:

  1. Visit the Virgin Media site.
  2. Enter your postcode.
  3. Check the broadband packages you can get at your home.

If Gig2 isn't around your place yet, you can tell Virgin Media to give you a heads up when it arrives. They're working all the time to spread their super-fast internet, mainly in big towns like London.

Signing Up for Gig2

Once you know Gig2 is available:

  1. Select the Gig2 package from Free Price Compare website.
  2. Add any other services you like (like TV or a phone plan).
  3. Choose a date for setup.
  4. Finish your order on the web.

A Virgin Media expert will visit to get your Gig2 connection ready. It often takes a few hours. They'll check that everything's working fine before they head out.

Get Virgin Media Gig2 Fibre Broadband

Tips to Make the Most of Your Gig2 Broadand

Optimising Your Home Network

  1. Pick a great router that can manage speeds of 2Gbps.
  2. Choose gadgets that work with WiFi 6 for top wireless speed.
  3. Connect devices that stay put, like desktop computers, with ethernet cables.

Keeping Your Equipment Up to Date

Regular updates are important because they:

  1. Make your internet quick and safe.
  2. Ensure your gadgets connect with the latest offerings.
  3. Let you use new options.

If possible, make sure your router and devices update by themselves.

Managing Your Bandwidth

Even with Gig2's massive bandwidth, it's good to:

  1. Set up your internet to favor important stuff.
  2. Download large files when the internet is not busy.
  3. Use a cable for activities that use a lot of internet.

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What's Next for Virgin Media Fibre Broadband?

Future Innovations

Virgin Media is always working on new tech:

  1. Internet faster than 2Gbps
  2. Improved WiFi range inside houses
  3. Better connection with smart home gadgets
  4. More secure online safety measures
  5. Could have 10Gbps services in certain places

Expanding Gig2 Availability

Virgin Media plans to:

  1. Get Gig2 to 15 million UK homes by 2028
  2. Start with cities, then go to more countryside places
  3. Team up with other businesses to speed up the process of installing full fibre
  4. Employ the Nexfibre system to get to new places fast

This growth will allow more people in the UK to have super fast internet.

Understanding Virgin Media's WiFi Guarantee

How the WiFi Guarantee Works

Virgin Media guarantees you'll get speeds of at least 30Mbps in every room with Gig2. If your speed falls below this:

  1. They will send a person to fix your setup.
  2. You could get three WiFi pods to make your coverage better.
  3. If it's not resolved, they will give you a credit for a month on your bill.

This shows how sure Virgin Media is of their help.

Terms and Conditions

  1. Comes free with Gig2
  2. Have to use Virgin Media's Hub 5 router
  3. Meant for homes with no more than five bedrooms
  4. Need to claim it within 30 days after you get Gig2 set up

Keep in mind, 30Mbps is just the starting point. With Gig2, you can expect way faster speeds around your house most of the time.

Finding the Best Virgin Media Broadband Deals

Offers for New Customers

Virgin Media often offers great broadband deals for new people:

  1. Prices drop for the first 18 months.
  2. Setup is free (it normally costs £35).
  3. Discounts on TV and phone bundles
  4. Cashback offers at certain times

You can save a lot of money when you first sign up for Gig2.

Tips for Finding Great Broadband Deals

  1. Keep visiting Virgin Media's site to see new deals and compare broadband deals with Free Price Compare
  2. Check out package deals to save money.
  3. Watch for holiday sales (like Black Friday).
  4. Think about Volt perks if you want phone services as well.

Keep in mind, while cost matters, pick a package with the internet speed your home needs.

Best Virgin Media Broadband Deals

Additional Costs and Fees to Consider

Setup and Installation Fees

  1. Standard sign-up cost: £35 (this fee is usually not charged for new customers)
  2. You may have to pay more if your place requires new wiring
  3. Normally, the price for the gear you need comes with your monthly payment

Costs for Extra Services

  1. TV plans: Begin at just £10 a month extra.
  2. Home phone: Evening and weekend calls starting at £5 a month.
  3. Mobile SIMs: Start from £6 a month and come with Volt perks.
  4. International calling: Different choices for those who make many overseas calls.

Add everything you want to buy. Make sure the total cost fits your budget.

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Virgin Media's Mobile and SIM Packages

Volt Benefits

When you sign up for broadband and get a Virgin Mobile SIM at the same time, you enjoy Volt perks:

  1. Quicker internet (for instance, M500 going up to M600)
  2. Twice as much data for qualified mobile packages
  3. No-cost WiFi pods to improve your home signal
  4. Exclusive price cuts on different services

These benefits can make your internet package much better.

Mobile Services

Virgin Media offers a range of mobile options:

  1. SIM-only deals starting at just £6 a month
  2. Our service covers most of the UK and is set for 5G
  3. Change your plan anytime, with data you can keep for later
  4. Message on top apps without using your data

Mixing phone and internet services can help you save cash and make your connection better.

Smart homes are getting more common, and Gig2 is right there to help with this change. With its super fast speeds and big ability, Gig2 can take care of many devices at the same time.

Powering the Internet of Things (IoT)

  1. Gig2 can handle more than 50 smart devices at the same time without getting slow.
  2. It makes instant replies possible for smart security setups.
  3. It backs up high-quality video from lots of cameras.
  4. Lets you smoothly manage smart lights, heating, and gadgets.

Future-Proofing Your Home

  1. Gets your home set for the next big thing in TV and VR games
  2. Helps your house run smart gadgets
  3. Lets you use voice helpers and smart speakers without a hitch
  4. Makes sure your home can handle new internet stuff that's coming

What Environmental Impact Does Gig2 Have?

High-speed internet, such as Gig2 can really help us lower our impact on the environment.

Energy Efficiency of Fibre Networks

  1. Fibre optic networks need less power than the old copper systems.
  2. Gig2's setup needs fewer parts that use power, which lowers the total energy use.

Virgin Media's Green Initiatives

  1. The company plans to have zero carbon emissions by 2030.
  2. Putting money into green energy for system operations.
  3. A recycling plan for outdated routers and TV boxes.

Reducing Need for Physical Travel

  1. Makes working from home better, lowering the need to travel to work.
  2. Helps with online meetings and events, reducing business trips.
  3. Aids in shopping and services online, cutting down on the use of your own car.

What Security Steps Does Virgin Media Take for Gig2 Users?

When you go really fast, you need to be really safe. Virgin Media does a lot to keep Gig2 users safe.

Built-in Security Features

  1. Web Safe: Keeps bad websites and not okay content away
  2. F-Secure SAFE: Helps keep many devices safe from viruses
  3. Often updates to keep Virgin Media routers safe

Data Protection and Privacy

  1. Scrambling user data when it's being sent
  2. Firm rules to keep customer info safe
  3. Frequent safety checks of Virgin Media's system setup

Tips for Enhancing Your Online Security with Gig2

  1. Pick a strong and different password for your Virgin Media account.
  2. Turn on two-step verification when you can.
  3. Keep all connected gadgets and apps up-to-date.

The Need for Strong Online Safety at High Speeds

  1. The faster the internet, the quicker bad software can spread if there's an infection.
  2. Teaching users about safe online practices is key.
  3. Virgin Media makes sure its Gig2 users have both fast internet and good protection.

Security Steps for Virgin Media Gig2 Users

Looking Ahead: The Future of Broadband Technology

Here's what might happen with internet in the next few years:

Beyond 2Gbps: The Next Frontier

Super-fast home internet could be coming soon. We're talking about speeds way quicker than what we have now. Imagine downloading a whole movie in just a few seconds!

These crazy fast speeds could change how we do things at home and work:

  • Virtual reality games that feel super real
  • Doctors doing operations from far away
  • Watching TV shows in 8K without any waiting

Integration with 5G and 6G Networks

Fast home internet like Gig2 will team up with better mobile networks. This means:

  • You could swap between home Wi-Fi and mobile data without noticing
  • Your gadgets might always pick the fastest connection without you doing anything

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The Role of AI in Network Management

Smart tech will make the internet work better:

  • It'll spot problems before they happen
  • Your internet speed might change based on what you're doing
  • The network could fix itself when something goes wrong

Bridging the Digital Divide

There are plans to get super quick internet to everyone:

  • Ideas to spread fast internet to countryside areas
  • The government wants to make sure no one gets left behind
  1. By 2025, the UK government wants everyone to have access to gigabit-capable broadband. This means even folks in far-off places could get really fast internet.

How Does Virgin Media Gig2 Change the Way We Use Internet at Home?

Virgin Media's Gig2 is changing home internet forever with its two-way 2Gbps speeds. This super fast connection lets you stream in 8K smoothly, back up your data to the cloud right away, and play games online without delays, all at the same time. With Gig2, you can make sure your home is ready for the future. This means you'll be set for things like virtual reality and connecting all your smart home gadgets without having to give up on speed or quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What download speed does Virgin Media Gig2 offer?

Gig2 offers the same speeds of up to 2Gbps for both downloading and uploading.

Is Gig2 good for gaming?

Sure, Gig2 is great for gaming because it's super fast and doesn't lag.

How many devices can use Gig2 at once?

Gig2 can support more than 100 devices at once without getting slow.

How much does Gig2 cost per month?

Starting in 2024, Gig2 will cost £84 a month just for the internet. If you're new, you might get a price cut.

How does Gig2 compare to other providers?

Gig2 gives the quickest internet speeds you can find in the UK, way faster than what most others offer.

Is there a minimum contract length for Gig2?

Sure, Gig2 often requires you to sign up for at least 18 months.

Can I get Gig2 if I'm not in a full fibre area?

Gig2 can only be used in places that have the right fibre set up. Virgin Media is making its service area bigger, so keep looking to see if you can get it where you are.

Does Gig2 include any security features?

Yes, Virgin Media offers Web Safe and F-Secure SAFE to keep your devices and internet safe.

Can I use my own router with Gig2?

Text: Virgin Media suggests using their Hub 5 to get the best results. They say it's because it works great with the WiFi promise, even if you have your own router.

Text: How fast can Gig2 upload stuff compared to other companies?

Gig2's upload speed of 2Gbps is way quicker than what other providers have. They usually give slower upload speeds, even on their best plans.

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