Virgin Broadband Deals
Virgin Media offers some of the fastest broadband packages available. It delivers its services through its own cable network that over half of all homes in the UK have access to.
There’s a good range of Virgin Media deals to suit everyone. Monthly prices start from under £30 per month, for its entry-level, broadband only deal. But if you’re happy to pay the extra cost, there are also TV and phone bundles available.
Expect fast and reliable internet speeds regardless of which package you’re signed up. In fact, in 2024, limited homes could even have access to its new Gig2 deal, with average download speeds up to 2Gb!
To put that into perspective, with a deal that fast, you could download Oppenheimer in 4K in just over 4 minutes!
Let’s explore what Virgin Media has to offer.
Virgin Media broadband: key features
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Virgin Media speeds and package features
What are the advantages of Virgin Media broadband?
The majority of internet service providers in the UK operate on the BT Openreach network. Although almost all homes in the UK are connected to an Openreach line, not everyone has access to such fast, full fibre speeds.
Virgin Media operates its own network. No other provider can access it. It’s been able to upgrade speeds at a quicker rate than others. Because of this, it now offers faster broadband to more people than any other network.
Here's are its main broadband only offers:
M125 fibre broadband
- Average download speeds of 132Mbps
Suitable for small to medium homes, casual internet use and streaming on up to 4 devices at a time.
M250 fibre broadband
- Average download speeds of 264Mbps
For larger homes, casual internet use and streaming on up to 4 devices at a time.
M350 fibre broadband
- Average download speeds of 362Mbps
For cinema buffs and those that want to stream in UHD / 4K
M500 fibre broadband
- Average download speeds of 516Mbps
Good for busy households with each member often online and streaming at once
Gig1 fibre broadband
- Average download speeds of 1.1Gb
The best choice for large homes with online gamers or those who download large files
Gig2 fibre broadband
- Average download speeds of 2Gb
Currently limited in availability. But we recommend this for large homes with intensive online use. Those who want the biggest and fastest.
All packages except Gig1 can be taken as standalone broadband deals, or with the option of line rental and a Weekend or Anytime calls package. Broadband is fully unlimited, with no restrictions on downloads or uploads.
Virgin Media is a "quad play" provider. This means that you can add a full range of pay TV services, plus a mobile deal, to your broadband and phone package. All TV deals require an 18-month contract.
Fibre optic broadband like that provided by Virgin Media does not vary in speed depending on how far you are from a telephone exchange, unlike their competitors who use copper phone lines.
How to choose the best broadband plan from Virgin
Before you sign up to a Virgin Media deal, it’s important to think about which package suits you and your home best. After all, you’ll need to commit to an 18-month contract.
You’ll find that providers will be happy to sort out an upgrade mid-contract if you feel that the speeds you’re on aren’t quite up to scratch. Downgrading is less easy, and early cancellation can end up being very expensive.
For that reason, we recommend thinking about how your home’s online usage fits in with our descriptions and work to your budget. Virgin Media’s speeds are fast compared to other provider deals, and most of its cheaper broadband plans should be plenty fast enough for the average home user.
As most internet users do not need the higher broadband speeds, the size of your household should be a primary consideration when selecting which package you wish to go for. Virgin Media claim the M125 package is ideal for families, and the M250 and M350 packages are the 'ultimate experience' easily adequate for 5 or more people. This assumes that everyone will be using the internet a lot. This may be the case for some larger families or student households, in which case going for a faster package will enable you to avoid slowdown when everyone is online at the same time.
However, there is no point in paying for more than you need.
Points to consider before you choose
- How many people will be using your broadband connection?
- Are you a heavy downloader, or do you regularly play online games?
- Would the expense of the faster speed be worth it for you?
The Genie says...
Before looking for a new broadband deal, try our internet speed test. This will give you a real-time result for the speeds you're receiving on your current deal.
Does Virgin Media offer Social Tariffs?
Yes. The 'Virgin Media Essential' package, 'Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus' and 'Essential Plus with Stream' are available to new and existing customers who are receiving benefits. Prices start from £12.50 per month.
For full information on this, head to our page, ‘social tariffs and cheaper broadband deals if you’re on benefits’.
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Virgin Home Phone add-ons
Virgin Media also offers call bundles. You can choose from a selection of inclusive call add-ons:
Weekend chatter
Unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines (included in all phone bundles)
Evening & weekend chatter
Gives you unlimited evening and weekend calls to UK landlines and UK mobiles from 7pm to 7am Monday to Friday, or all day Saturday and Sunday.
Anytime chatter
For anytime calls to UK landlines and mobiles.
International anytime chatter
As well as anytime calls to UK landlines and mobile, you’ll be able to make calls to mobiles and landlines in 50 destinations with the International Anytime Chatter phone service
Virgin TV and Broadband Deals
You have access to hundreds of TV channels if you sign up to a Virgin Media TV and broadband deal. Expect to pay a premium for bundles that include both Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and an included Netflix streaming service, but there are also more affordable entry-level bundles available, too.
Here are a few of the packages currently available (all with M250 and faster broadband packages):
Big Bundle
- 100+ channels, including Sky Sports Racing.
- 180+ channels, including Virgin Ultra HD channel.
- 200+ channels, including the Sky Cinema HD Collection.
- 195+ channels, including the Sky Cinema HD Collection and live Premier League action.
- 210+ channels, including Sky Sports HD and Sky Cinema HD, plus a Netflix Standard plan.
- 230+ channels, including Sky Sports HD and Sky Cinema HD, Kids Pick plus a Netflix Standard plan.
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What is VOLT?
You’ll be considered a VOLT customer if at least one member of your household is an O2 Pay Monthly customer and you have Virgin Media broadband.
Exclusive Volt Benefits include:
- Free Virgin Media broadband speed boost to the next level, if you’re not getting the top speed already (up to a max of 1Gb).
- Double mobile data for every O2 pay monthly mobile plan registered under your name in your household.
- Up to 3 Wi-Fi pods (boosters) to extend Wi-Fi coverage in your home.
Virgin Broadband and TV deals include a free Virgin TV 360 box, with recording and integrated catch-up.
Customers also have access to the Virgin TV Go app for access to content anywhere there’s Wi-Fi or mobile data access. Alternatively, you can download content to watch whilst you’re on the move. There’s no extra monthly cost for this.
O2 SIM mobile plans also include the O2 travel zone. With that, you’ll get free roaming in 75 destinations around the world.
For full details on Virgin Media and how it compares to other providers, read our Virgin Media review.
Virgin Media special promotions, perks and discounts
Virgin Media regularly offers incentives to new customers. This also comes in the form of Bill Credits, which means you’ll have a discounted start to your contract.
The larger bundles have also been known to come with a free gift such as an Xbox console.
You can always keep a close watch on Virgin Media promotions by bookmarking our ‘broadband rewards and cashback page’. But if you see a great deal, it’s worth pouncing. High-value rewards don’t hang around for long.
Here are a few of the current Virgin deals with promos available:
Can I get Virgin Broadband?
If you’re a new customer looking to switch to Virgin, the first step to finding a new package is using our broadband deals checker.
Virgin isn't available to everyone. It operates its own network, and it doesn’t have quite the same reach as providers that use the BT Openreach network. Coverage varies all over the country, and even if other homes in the same town can get Virgin Media services, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will too.
To make this easy, Broadband Genie has a free broadband postcode checker. Enter your address below, and we’ll check a national database of exchanges and filter the results by location.
How is Virgin Media broadband installed?
Once you’ve signed up to Virgin Media, you’ll be able to arrange the most suitable date for an engineer to visit and set up your internet connection. Alternatively, a Quickstart, self-install service is available if your home has previously had a Virgin Media broadband service.
Installation normally takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours.
For more FAQs, you can visit this Virgin Media Broadband, TV and phone installation guide.
To find more information on what Wi-Fi router you’ll get with each package, read our Virgin Media Router Round-up.
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How does Virgin Broadband work?
The Virgin Media network uses a technology known as Hybrid-Fibre Coaxial or HFC. This means the core network is built on fast fibre optic lines to carry a signal to street side cabinets, and the final connection into homes and businesses is handled with coaxial cable.
This is pretty similar to most BT network fibre services, which use a technology called FTTC (Fibre To The Cabinet) instead. But in BT’s case, it uses fibre lines to the cabinet, and then a telephone line into your home.
The coaxial link is why Virgin Media broadband was, and sometimes still is, called ‘cable broadband’. However, Virgin now refers to its service as fibre broadband, and that’s mostly how you’ll see it referenced here on Broadband Genie.
How do I switch/sign-up to Virgin?
If you are switching to a Virgin Media package that includes phone services, you will need to switch your phone line. Virgin Media should do everything for you, including letting you keep your pre-existing phone number. If you do this, then your previous provider will automatically cancel your phone line and any broadband services that are associated with it.
If you're not switching phone services, you’ll need to give your current broadband provider 30 days notice of cancellation. If you're worried about downtime, you can always arrange for your current broadband to end a few days after your Virgin start date.
From September 2024, things are likely to get easier thanks to the launch of 'One Touch Switch' and you shouldn't have to get in touch with your existing provider.
What are the drawbacks of Virgin Media?
Installation is more complex - If your house has never had Virgin Media before, then the installation will more complex. An engineer will need to run cabling from the connection point on your pavement to an outside socket installed on your outside wall, to a wall socket inside your house. Virgin says it normally takes around two hours, although this could be longer in some cases. However, if your home is already set up for Virgin, a self install option might be available.
No fixed IP addresses - Virgin Media does not offer fixed IP addresses as part of their regular packages. However ,this is only likely to be an issue if you wish to set up a local web server, otherwise you’re unlikely to notice the difference.
Slower upload speeds than most FTTC - Although Virgin Media's download speeds tend to outstrip fibre to the cabinet alternatives, their upload speeds don't tend to keep up. Many other fibre services offer upload speeds averaging around 19Mb while Virgin Media's M125 service offers only 6Mb average upload speeds, although their most expensive M350 service now offers 21Mb average upload speeds, and the new M500 service will offer 35Mb upload speeds.
High customer complaints - In 2024, Ofcom data showed Virgin Media to be the most complained about provider in the UK
Annual CPI increase - In 2024, prices for Virgin Media broadband (and any other add-ons, such as line, call plans and call charges) increased by the Consumer Price Index in April plus 3.9%. This is likely to continue each April.
Virgin Media Broadband FAQs
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How much is Virgin Broadband?
Virgin Broadband starts from under £30 per month. It’s one of the more expensive providers, but for that, you get much faster download speeds.
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How long are Virgin Broadband contracts?
Most Virgin deals have an 18-month contract term minimum. If you think you may have to cancel within that minimum time, you should consider a rolling contract deal instead. Early cancellation unfortunately often winds up being expensive.
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Do you have to pay setup fees when you sign up to a Virgin Media broadband deal?
Virgin will occasionally offer free setup deals. There are also regular special offers with bill credits and vouchers which can offset this cost. You can visit our Virgin rewards page for the latest news on free gifts and extras.
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How do I switch to Virgin Broadband?
Switching to Virgin Broadband works a little differently to most other broadband providers because it’s not using the BT Openreach network. With Openreach providers, the new ISP manages the switch and notifies your old provider. But when switching broadband to Virgin, you’ll have to manually cancel your old provider. Read our guide to switching broadband for more help.
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How do I contact Virgin?
Call Virgin customer services on 0345 454 1111, or 150 from a Virgin mobile or home phone. For more contact information, visit our guide to Virgin customer service.
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Will Virgin raise its prices in 2024?
In April 2024, Virgin Media customers were affected by a price increase of 8.8%. This was a higher rate of inflation than competitor providers. Virgin Media has yet to confirm what its 2025 price rise will look like. However, a new Ofcom ruling states if a price rise is enforced, it must be clearly communicated in pounds and pence.
For more help, visit our Virgin Media price rises guide.
Expert Summary
If you’re looking into a Virgin Media broadband deal, we recommend using our deals checker to see what’s available in your area. Virgin offers superfast broadband without the need for a landline. It’s not the cheapest broadband package, and it’s not available everywhere, but it's likely one of the fastest providers you can sign up to.
It's undoubtedly one of the best choices for telly addicts, with plenty of bundle options and hundreds of channels available.
Virgin Media customers are generally happy with their speed, but customers have recently reported issues with easy cancellations and support in general.
For a deeper look into Virgin Media’s packages and services, including customer reviews and testimonials, visit our Virgin Media Review.