Got your eye on Virgin Media? Here’s everything you need to know about its broadband, TV and phone packages. Plus, we’ll walk you through all its pros and cons too.
Whereas most providers in the UK piggyback on BT’s Openreach network to bring broadband to the home, Virgin Media uses its own, more efficient cable broadband infrastructure.
As a result, its internet packages are some of the fastest around, boasting speeds well above the national average. And its fibre optic broadband is the most widely available in the country.
Elsewhere, Virgin Media’s TV offering comes second only to Sky, with hundreds of channels available as well as the option to add Sky and BT’s sport channels.
Let’s take a look in more detail…
Why choose Virgin Media broadband?
Well, for starters, it boasts the fastest widely available internet in the UK. While the likes of BT and Sky's pricey full fibre optic deals offer comparably fast speeds, they're generally only on offer in a very select number of locations.
But that's not all.
Virgin Media is also one of the few providers that doesn't require you to take a landline when you sign up for its broadband service and offers an extensive range of TV packages consisting of hundreds of channels, as well as the option to add premium TV like Sky Cinema channels.
There’s a good selection of pay monthly, pay-as-you-go, SIM-only and mobile broadband deals to choose from too, plus price cuts for existing Virgin Media customers.
Most impressively, though, are Virgin Media’s ‘bundle’ options. These let you combine broadband and TV into one comprehensive package.
And if you need a landline as well, you can get a broadband, phone and TV packages from Virgin Media too.
By bundling all your services together, you can save money over the duration of your 18-month contract.
Our best Virgin Media deals
- 132Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £34.00 per month
- 516Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £52.00 per month
- 264Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £40.00 per month
- 1130Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £64.00 per month
- 362Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £46.00 per month
- 54Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £9.99 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £28.00 per month
*Average speeds are based on the download speeds of at least 50% of customers at peak time(8pm to 10pm). Speed can be affected by a range of technical and environmental factors. The speed you receive where you live may be lower than that listed above. You can check the estimated speed to your property prior to purchasing.
Virgin Media fibre optic broadband deals
All of Virgin Media’s internet packages are fibre optic, so whichever one you plump for you’re likely to get faster speeds and more reliable service than offered by most rival providers.
The range of speeds on offer include:
- M50 – average speeds of 54Mbps
- M100 – 108Mbps
- M200 – 213Mbps
- M350 – 362Mbps
- M500 – 516Mbps
- Gig1 – 1130Mbps
It’s also worth mentioning that Virgin Media offers the fastest widely available fibre optic package in the UK, with average download speeds of an eye-popping 516Mbps.
All packages come with unlimited downloads. You’ll also need to pay a setup fee, and sign up to an 18-month contract.
What are Virgin Media’s bundles?
Virgin Media’s famous Big Bundles let you combine your TV, broadband and phone into one convenient package.
And if you decide you don't require a landline, you don't have to take one. Virgin Media also offers package for just broadband and TV too.
Depending on which bundle you choose, you’ll save money and paying one bill is definitely more convenient.
Virgin Media's Big Bundles and Bigger Bundles come in a few different shapes:
- Broadband + phone bundles
- Broadband + TV bundles
- Broadband + phone + TV bundles
- Volt Bundles - which add a mobile SIM deal to your package from Virgin's partnership with O2
Some bundles with Virgin Media TV have extra modules thrown in too, such as Movies, Sports, or Drama & Docs.
They go all the way up to the Ultimate Volt Bundle, which gives you the best of the best of its broadband, TV, and phone options.
Virgin broadband and TV packages
In the market for a full-featured TV service with plenty of channels and premium content? Combine Virgin Media broadband with one of its TV packages into a bundle, and you’ll save on both.
Options range from a humble 100-ish channels, all the way up to 230+ channels with sports and movie add-ons. You’ll get a Virgin TV 360 box for your telly, which is 4K-ready and lets you sign in to all your streaming services too.
What Virgin Media call packages are available?
Virgin Media has four separate talk plans available. So if you only use your landline on weekends or your phone is glued to your ear all day long, you’ll find a package to suit your needs with Virgin Media.
Mobile phones
Whether you’re after a cheaper SIM only deal or want the latest iPhone, Virgin Mobile has a raft of great offers available.
And at the time of writing, an added bonus is that all Virgin Broadband customers get a money off the monthly cost of their Virgin Mobile tariff.
You can also fold in a mobile SIM-only deal to your bundle - just look out for Volt bundles. This SIM will come from O2 rather than Virgin Mobile, however.
Does Virgin Media offer broadband-only options?
Yes, absolutely. Virgin is one of only a few providers to offer broadband-only deals with no need for a phone line.
Prices differ depending on whether you take a landline with your broadband or not. Some are cheaper with, others are cheaper without.
Can I get Virgin Media broadband deals in my area?
Although Virgin Media’s fibre optic broadband packages are available in most of the UK there are still some locations its network doesn’t reach.
To find out for sure if you can sign up for Virgin Media where you live, enter your postcode into our broadband availability checker.
Compare broadband deals in your area
Need a speedy service but not sold on Virgin Media? Head to our dedicated page to compare a range of fast broadband deals from a wide selection of providers.
Virgin broadband offers for new customers
Virgin Media is great for new customers, thanks to plenty of special offers only available to newbies. They may include discounted introductory prices, goodies like cashback or gadgets, or bill credit to cut your outgoings.
You can grab one of these deals if:
- You’re signing up to Virgin for the first time
- You’re switching from another provider (even if you’ve had Virgin Media in the past)
- You’re moving into a new home (and didn’t have Virgin at your previous home)
Virgin Media cashback and offers
One thing Virgin Media likes to do is sweeten the deal for new customers with special offers, such as cashback, vouchers, and bill credit.
We’ve highlighted any cashback deals available right now. To see them, just compare deals in your postcode with our tool above, and look out for the cashback icon.
You can also see all broadband and TV deals with cashback that we have available right now on our dedicated page…
What’s good about Virgin Media broadband?
Virgin Media has a lot to recommend it. But here’s some of its standout features:
- Some of the most flexible packages around, so you can modify them whenever you want.
- Option to save money by combining multiple services into packages.
- Broadband packages don’t require line rental.
- Comprehensive TV offering, second only to Sky.
- Phone packages include free weekend calls to UK landlines.
- Websafe parental controls.
And here’s why Virgin Media might not be the best option for you:
What’s bad about Virgin Media broadband?
Virgin Media broadband isn’t as widely available as other major UK broadband providers. Use our postcode checker to see if you can get it.
- Not the cheapest provider – TalkTalk and Plusnet offer cheaper options.
- More options than you might need.
- Setup costs apply.
Virgin Media broadband setup
If you’re taking out Virgin Media for the first time, you’ll likely have to pay for activation. At the time of writing, the fee is £15.
Additionally, Virgin Media may also charge £99 for engineer call-outs. Though this will depend whether you’ve had Virgin Media services at your property in the past.
Whether or not you pay this activation charge will be decided on a case-by-case basis, so if you’re unsure, Virgin Media will let you know if you’ll be required to pay anything before confirming your order.
However, if you’ve had Virgin Media before, you’ll be able to set up your services with the QuickStart self-install box.
In a nutshell, Virgin Media will supply you with the kit, cables and a everything you need. In this instance, you won’t need to pay setup costs and the process is quick and simple.
Virgin Media broadband customer service
Need to get in touch with Virgin Media? You can contact them on 0345 454 1111.
Alternatively, just tap in 150 on your Virgin Media landline to speak to a member of its customer service team.
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