Our review of Virgin Media broadband
Virgin Media's strengths and weaknesses
Virgin Media has long been known for its independent cable network. But, with the rise of Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology offered by Openreach and other independent providers, is Virgin Media still a good choice in 2025? This review will explore Virgin Media's strengths and weaknesses to help you decide.
Virgin Media Broadband Speed: Let's kick off with the good news. Virgin Media boasts some of the fastest broadband speeds in the UK, particularly in areas where FTTP isn't yet available. This makes it an attractive option for heavy internet users, avid gamers and households with multiple devices streaming simultaneously.
Compare Virgin Media DealsCustomer service concerns
Virgin Media's Achilles' heel appears to be its customer service. Trustpilot reviews depict a troubling picture, with numerous customers airing grievances about billing discrepancies and poor customer support. Ofcom's data highlights Virgin Media as receiving a notably higher volume of complaints compared to close rivals, like Sky.
Peace of mind with compensation: There's a silver lining, though! Virgin Media participates in Ofcom's automatic compensation scheme. This means their customers receive compensation automatically for issues such as missed engineer appointments or service delays, eliminating the need for additional wrangling with customer support.
Read Virgin Media broadband features in more detail
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Features 
Hub Version Hub 5x Hub 5 Hub 4 Hub 3 Number of Antennae 7 7 7 5 2.4 GHz WiFi Band 3x3 11b/g/n/ax 3x3 11/b/g/n/ax 3x3 11/b/g/n 2x2 11/b/g/n 5 GHz WiFi Band 4x4 11ax 4x4 11ax 4x4 11ac 3x3 11ac WiFi Spec WiFi Version 6 WiFi Version 6 WiFi Version 5 WiFi Version 5 Dual Band Yes Yes Yes Yes Network Connection XGS-PON DOCSIS 3.1 DOCSIS 3.1 DOCSIS 3.0 Ethernet 1x 10Gbps, 3x 1Gbps 1x 2.5Gbps, 3x 1Gbps 4x 1Gbps 4x 1Gbps WPS Push Button Yes Yes Yes Yes Guest Network Option Yes Yes Yes Yes Auto tuning WiFi Yes Yes Yes Yes Phone line socket Yes Yes Yes Yes WiFi Pod Compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes -
Unlike most broadband providers, Virgin Media offers a 30-day rolling contract, allowing you to test their service without committing to a long-term agreement. This flexibility is ideal for those in temporary accommodation, short-term rentals, or anyone who prefers not to be tied into a long-term contract.
However, this convenience comes at a significantly higher cost. For example, M125 Fibre Broadband typically costs around £24 per month on an 24-month contract, but on a 30-day rolling contract, the price increases to £54 per month, plus a one-off £35 setup fee and a £45 rolling contract fee.
Additionally, faster speeds like M500, Gig1, and Gig2 aren’t available, and TV add-ons, such as Sky Sports or Sky Cinema, are also excluded.
If you choose to continue beyond the initial 30 days, the contract automatically renews each month unless cancelled with 30 days’ notice. While this means no early termination fees, the monthly cost remains significantly higher than a fixed-term contract.
In short, Virgin Media's 30-day rolling contract offers unparalleled flexibility, but the premium pricing makes it a niche option. For most users, a standard fixed-term contract will likely prove more economical.
Visit Virgin Media -
Live Chat: Virgin Media offers convenient live chat support from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week.
Parental Controls: A handy router feature allows you to pause WiFi access to specific devices, making it ideal for managing screen time.
Whilst Virgin Media excel in download speeds, upload speeds can be a drawback, especially for those who regularly upload large files. This is because Virgin Media uses a cable network, which prioritises download speeds. If you're a content creator who uploads videos frequently or a gamer who live streams, Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) providers like Hyperoptic, Gigaclear, and CityFibre might be a better fit. These providers offer symmetrical speeds, meaning upload speeds are just as fast as download speeds, making them better suited for upload-intensive tasks.
Virgin Media has recently introduced Gig2, the UK's first commercially available residential broadband service with speeds of 2Gbps. This speed is over 28 times faster than the national average! Utilising XGS-PON technology on a full-fibre network, courtesy of their partnership with Nexfibre, Virgin Media boasts symmetrical upload and download speeds as an add-on across all tiers for an additional £6 per month, a first amongst major UK providers. However, it's important to note that this add-on is currently limited to areas served by the Nexfibre network.
Our communication with Virgin Media confirms recent reports that some sales staff aren’t fully informed about the symmetrical speed add-on. Given these limitations and the newness of the service, it might be a while before the symmetrical speed add-on becomes widely available and consistently communicated across Virgin Media's channels.
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Compare Virgin Media Deals
Package name Advertised speed Expected speed Minimum
guaranteed downloadUpload speed NEW Nexfibre area add-on option for
symmetrical upload speedsEssential broadband
(social tariff)15Mb 15Mb 8Mb 2Mb Not Available Essential broadband plus
(social tariff)54Mb 52Mb 27Mb 5Mb Not Available M50 54Mb 52Mb 27Mb 5Mb 52Mb M125 132Mb 132Mb 66Mb 21Mb 132Mb M250 264Mb 267Mb 132Mb 26Mb 267Mb M350 362Mb 374Mb 181Mb 37Mb 374Mb M500 516Mb 498Mb 258Mb 48Mb 498Mb Gig1 Full Fibre 1130Mb 1131Mb 565Mb 108Mb 1131Mb Gig2 Full Fibre 2000Mb 2020Mb 1000Mb 208Mb 2020Mb -
So, is Virgin Media the right choice for you? If sheer speed is your priority and 'FTTP' broadband isn't available, Virgin Media remains a strong contender. Their one-month rolling contract also offers flexibility for those who prefer short-term options.
Virgin Media is also competitive on price, particularly with new customer incentive deals. However, it’s important to note that these discounts apply only to the initial contract period, and prices increase once the promotional term ends.
However, be prepared for potential customer service challenges, and make sure to review your terms and conditions, including minimum guaranteed speeds.
For tech-savvy users looking to improve their Wi-Fi performance, we strongly recommend investing in a third-party router. Virgin Media routers conveniently offer a 'modem-only mode', which disables Wi-Fi broadcasting and allows the router to function purely as a bridge, passing the internet connection to your own router. A Wi-Fi 7 router would provide better coverage and faster speeds compared to Virgin Media's standard hub router.
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