Virgin Broadband Reviews
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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 DealsVirgin 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.
| Features |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 £25 per month on an 18-month contract, but on a 30-day rolling contract, the price increases to £54 per month, plus a one-off £80 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 MediaLive 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.
| Package name | Advertised speed | Expected speed | Minimum guaranteed download |
Upload speed | NEW Nexfibre area add-on option for symmetrical upload speeds |
| Essential 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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