Virgin broadband explained
Virgin Media is a British media giant owned by Liberty Global. Its history dates back to March 2006 when two cable tv and phone operators merged to form NTL:Telewest. This then followed with the acquisition of Richard Branson’s Virgin Mobile in June of the same year and was renamed as Virgin Media. Thus, becoming the first company in the UK to offer ‘quadruple play’ to their customers (TV, broadband, landline and mobiles).
Advantages of Virgin Media
Virgin media is BTs and Sky’s biggest rival with over 4 million paid subscribers and offers some of the fastest broadband speeds in the UK. It offers true fibre optic speed with lowest average speeds of 54 Mbps. Virgin Media will give as standard, Virgin Media Super Hub to all its new customers which can seamlessly work with multiple devices.
Broadband and Phone packages offered by Virgin Media,
Virgin Media has some of the fastest speeds offered to UK households, it can do this as it has its own fibre optic network, and not reliant on Openreach like the other providers. The basic deal offers speeds up to 54 Mbps along with free weekend calls, and for those looking for the ultimate experience, they have speeds that reach 516 Mbps. They are now rolling out 1 gigabyte speed which, by the end of 2021, will be available to 15 million customers around the UK.
There are additional bolt-ons you can add to telephone calls like, call anytime, calls to mobiles and international calls for those that need an all-inclusive plan.
TV packages
Virgin TV packages range from its basic bundle offering 110 channels to the more comprehensive 270 plus channels with its largest package.
It’s also possible to customise the TV channels where you’re able to pick channels based on genres. Premium channels such as Sky Sports and BT Sports can be added to the basic package at an additional cost or alternatively, they are already included in the largest package.
All in one bundles
With Virgin Media, you’ll get better value if you get TV, broadband, and phones, than just getting one of these services
Can I get broadband only from Virgin Media?
Virgin Media offers three broadband-only packages, with speed ranging from 108 Mbps to the superfast 362mbps. Higher speeds are available but in a bundle package which includes a telephones line with anytime calls and 270 plus channels, this has an average speed of 512Mbps.
What do I do if I'm an existing Virgin Media customer?
Existing Virgin Media customers should contact Virgin Media renewals around 35 days before the end of your contact and ask as to what offers are currently available, alternatively check online on your account. If you take a new customer offer and you are currently a customer, you will need a break in services of 60 days to take advantage of the lower pricing.
What happens if I'm a new customer looking for special deals?
If you are looking to get Virgin Media due to its internet speed, there's no better place to look then freepricecompare.com, where you can compare the latest and best deals from Virgin Media and other broadband providers.
Does Virgin Media do any special deals for students?
Virgin Media is acutely aware of students need to have superfast broadband for studying and gaming and so offers exclusive deals for students on a 30-day rolling contract or a 9 month fixed contract that runs from September.
What broadband speeds are available with Virgin Media?
Virgin Media has stolen a lead over its rival by having its own dedicated fibre network and so are not reliant on Openreach, as a result, consumers are able to get superfast broadband that few other broadband providers can rival.
Virgin Media offers 5 Speed variations of broadband, and they are:
M50 fibre broadband
Virgin Media's entry-level package will give consumers average speeds of 54 mbps with upload speeds of 3 mbps.
- Average download speed of 54 Mbps
- Guaranteed minimum download speed of 27 Mbps
- M50 broadband download speed range 53 to 55 Mbps
- Average upload speed of 5 Mbps
- Virgin M50 fibre broadband expected upload speed range is 5 Mbps
- 12 months broadband contract plan
- Ideal for daily internet browsing and checking emails
- Virgin media WiFi router included
M100 fibre broadband
A package built for 2 or 3 people where the average speed is 108mbps and this would suit houses with 5-9 devices. The upload speed on this package is 6 Mbps.
- Average download speed of 108 Mbps
- Guaranteed minimum download speed of 54 Mbps
- M50 broadband download speed range 110 to 112 Mbps
- Average upload speed of 10 Mbps
- Virgin M100 fibre broadband expected upload speed range is 10 Mbps
- 12 months broadband contract plan
- Ideal for streaming Netflix and browsing on multiple devices
- Virgin media WiFi router included
M200 fibre broadband
If you have a large home or a large family where there is heavy internet use from multiple devices, then 200mbps is recommended, this will give speeds up to 213 Mbps and uploads of 12 mbps.
- Average download speed of 213 Mbps
- Guaranteed minimum download speed of 107 Mbps
- M50 broadband download speed range 210 to 219 Mbps
- Average upload speed of 20 Mbps
- Virgin M200 fibre broadband expected upload speed range is 21 Mbps
- 12 months broadband contract plan
- Ideal for 4k UHD streaming on multiple devices
- Virgin media WiFi router included
M350 fibre broadband
For users that want even higher speeds, Virgin Media offers the 350 Mbps package, this would you give speeds of up to 362 Mbps which makes it perfect for downloading huge files and streaming 4K movies on multiple devices.
- Average download speed of 362 Mbps
- Guaranteed minimum download speed of 181 Mbps
- M50 broadband download speed range 361 to 381 Mbps
- Average upload speed of 36 Mbps
- Virgin M350 fibre broadband expected upload speed range is 35 to 37 Mbps
- 12 months broadband contract plan
- Ideal for Pro gaming without any lags on multiple gaming consoles
- Virgin media WiFi router included
M500 fibre broadband
If the M350 it's still not fast enough and you're looking for something even faster, then Virgin Media has 500 Mbps fibre broadband which offers speeds around 512 Mbps, with download speeds of around 35 Mbps. The M500 is part of a deal that includes over 270 channels, landline telephone with anytime calls and a mobile sim.
- Average download speed of 516 Mbps
- Guaranteed minimum download speed of 552 Mbps
- M50 broadband download speed range 496 to 545 Mbps
- Average upload speed of 36 Mbps
- Virgin M500 fibre broadband expected upload speed range is 35 to 37 Mbps
- 12 months broadband contract plan
- 7 x faster compared to BT and Sky’s available broadband speed
- Virgin media WiFi router included
What other services you can get from Virgin media home broadband offering?
Sky Sports packages / channels |
Yes |
BT Sports / BT Sports app |
Yes |
TV channels |
Yes (Vivo TV box) |
Fibre optic broadband service |
Yes |
ADSL broadband service |
No |
Mobile phone deals and packages |
Yes |
Call package options |
Yes |
International calls |
Yes - on selected countries and add-ons |
Mobile broadband 3G |
No |
Mobile Broadband 4G |
Yes |
Pay monthly option |
Yes |
Pay as you go option |
No |
Contention types |
Only wireless connection option |
Is Virgin Media broadband speed dependent on locality?
As Virgin Media operates and owns its own network, the speed is unlikely to change due to locality although they whilst they are working on it, they do not serve the whole fo the UK at the moment.
How do you get Virgin Media to your home?
You'll be able to get Virgin Media by using Freepricecompare.com or by calling our free phone number, 0800 977 5741 to see if Virgin Media is available in your postcode and latest deals are in your area.
Does Virgin Media charge an installation fee?
Yes, Virgin Media does charge an installation fee which is around £35. However, occasionally there will be offers which will waive installation fees
What is the installation time?
Customers that already have a Virgin Media line in the property, can ask the technical helpdesk to send out a Quick Start Pack, which will contain the hardware and the instructions on how to go live with Virgin Media broadband. This is usually sent within 3 days of the call.
For customers requiring brand new Virgin Media line, the usual wait time it's around 14 days, and the engineer will install the line and have it up and ready between 30minutes to 2 hours.
What are the advantages of a Virgin Media Router?
Virgin Media provide their customers with a router called the Super Hub, which has been dubbed one of the most advanced routers for residential customers. It operates at 5.0 GHz frequency where other providers operate at 2.5 GHz. By operating at the higher frequency which is less congested and more advanced, users experience lower latency and much faster speeds.
What internet protections does Virgin Media offer?
Virgin Media is well aware of the dangers of the internet from malware and viruses to inappropriate content not suitable for children, and as such have suites of products to make the internet safer, which Virgin Media brands as “Switched on Families”.
What is Virgin Media Web Safe?
Virgin Media’s Web Safe comes as standard with all broadband packages and offers protection to any device connected to the Super Hub from viruses, malware and malicious websites intended on stealing personal details.
What is Virgin Media F-Secure SAFE?
For those looking for a more premium product that extends protection to 5 devices, Virgin Media offers Virgin Media F-Secure SAFE, which for £25 which will protect laptops, mobiles, ipads, Android tablets and Apple macs.
What is Virgin Media’s parental control like?
Virgin Media offers customisable parental control which allows parents to block specific websites or websites that fall within certain categories. It also allows the screen time on devices to be set so kids are not overindulging on the web or social media.
How does Virgin Media’s customer service compare?
Virgin Media has a customer satisfaction rating of 85% which is above the national average. They offer solutions by having a comprehensive FAQ, and if you still need to contact an adviser, you’ll be able to do so using the online chat facility or if you want to speak to a human being you can call 0345 454 1111 or if you’re dialling from a Virgin Media phone 150.
Online Chat opening times are Monday to Friday 7am to 11pm and on the Weekends 8am to 8pm. The call centre opening times are Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, on Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday’s 8am to 6pm.
Virgin Media broadband download and upload speed analysis including peak time hours
|
Download Speed |
Upload Speed |
Plan Speed |
Maximum |
24 hours |
8pm-10pm |
Minimum |
Maximum |
24 hours |
8pm-10pm |
Minimum |
54 Mbps cable |
54.8-54.9 Mbps |
54.0-54.5 Mbps |
53.5-54.3 Mbps |
50.0-51.5 Mbps |
3-3.1 Mbps |
3 Mbps |
3 Mbps |
2.9 Mbps |
108 Mbps cable |
108.1-109.5 Mbps |
106.0-107.9 Mbps |
105-107.3 Mbps |
96.7-101.4 Mbps |
6 Mbps |
5.9-6 Mbps |
5.9-6 Mbps |
5.7-5.8 Mbps |
213 Mbps cable |
214.4-217.9 Mbps |
205.5-210.3 Mbps |
201.1-207.0 Mbps |
177.7-187.1 Mbps |
12.2-12.7 Mbps |
12.1-12.5 Mbps |
12.1-12.5 Mbps |
11.6-12.1 Mbps |
362 Mbps cable |
381.4-383.8 Mbps |
361.8-368.2 Mbps |
356.0-364.3 Mbps |
295.7-312.1 Mbps |
20.6-21 Mbps |
20.4-20.8 Mbps |
20.3-20.7 Mbps |
19.4-20 Mbps |
Virgin media Super Hub 2 vs Virgin media Super Hub 3
|
Virgin media Super Hub 2 |
Virgin media Super Hub 3 |
|
 |
 |
Modem |
Cable |
Cable DOCSIS 3.0 Wireless/wired |
Wi-Fi standard |
802.11ac |
802.11b/g/n |
Bands |
2.4GHz, 5GHz |
Dual bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz |
Stated speed |
1300Mbps |
1000 Mbps |
Security |
WPA2, WEP-128 |
WPA & WPA2, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS |
Upgradable antenna |
No |
No |
WAN ports |
0 |
2 (1 for ADSL and 1 for Infinity fibre) |
LAN ports |
4x 10/100/1000Mbps |
4 LAN (Ethernet) ports |
USB ports |
0 |
0 |
Wall mountable |
no |
no |
Size |
215x69x195mm |
19.2cm x 18cm x 7cm |
Guest networks |
4 |
2 guest network per wireless channel |
Media server |
DLNA |
DLNA |
USB services |
None |
None |
DDNS services |
None |
None |
Price including VAT |
£0 |
£0 with 100Mbps broadband packages |
Warranty |
Life time |
Life time |
- Name: Virgin Media
- Parent Company: Liberty Global Plc
- Operated in Regions: UK & Ireland
- Plans offer: Broadband, Digital TV, Landline, Mobile
- IPv6 Support: No
- Ofcom Code of Practice: Yes
- Relocation Support: Yes
- Customer Service Number: 0345 454 1111
- Overall Satisfaction according to Ofcom: 85%
- Customer reviews: 11806 Trustpilot