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.
What began life in the 1990s as smaller cable companies, such as Telewest and NTL, is now Virgin Media – a major player in the market.
It’s one of only a few broadband providers in the UK that run on their own independent network, completely separate from Openreach (BT Group). In fact, it’s the biggest cable operator in the country, covering a majority of properties nationwide. These days, it consists of incredibly fast fibre optic lines, which reach your home via coaxial cables and even more fibre optics – able to deliver speeds over 1Gbps in some areas.
Why choose Virgin Media broadband?
With Virgin Media, you get high speed broadband and tons of bundling options.
By running its own network, Virgin is a little more free in what it’s able to offer customers. You can get broadband on its own, with no need even for a phone line; or you can get an all-singing, all-dancing TV bundle, with a selection of channels and features rivalled only by Sky. You can even add an O2 SIM to get your mobile bill covered too.
The downside, however, is that Virgin Media still doesn’t quite reach everywhere in the UK. Its high speeds and big TV packages don’t always come cheap, either.
Read our full Virgin Media review to learn more.
Pros of Virgin Media broadband
- Incredibly fast: Speeds range all the way up to an incredible 1,130Mbps – though the exact speeds available will depend on your postcode – meaning Virgin may well be the fastest broadband in your area
- Wide range of options: You have a lot to pick from, depending what you want from your broadband – from modest broadband-only options without a landline, all the way up to broadband-phone-TV-mobile combos
- Good hardware: The included tech you get, such as the router and TV box, is good quality, and some of the best on the broadband market
- QuickStart self-install: Setup is quick and easy if your home has had Virgin before (even if it was a former resident). You can do it yourself in your own time by plugging in the router and following the instructions
- Premium TV packages: For a classic pay-TV package, with a set-top box to attach to your telly and hundreds of live channels and on-demand content, you really only have two options: Virgin Media or Sky. (You can see how they compare in our review: Virgin Media vs Sky)
Virgin has a truly comprehensive offering, with up to 230+ channels, hundreds of hours of on-demand apps and box sets, and the option to add Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, and more.You get a lot more than you would from broadband-and-TV bundles from other providers – such as TalkTalk and NOW, which both focus on concise packages at lower prices – but you’ll also pay a decent bit more too.
Cons of Virgin Media broadband
- Not the cheapest provider: You’ll need to look elsewhere for low-cost broadband. Depending on your area, you may be able to get rival speeds at more competitive prices
- Limited network: Virgin Media currently only reaches about 60% of the UK. You may not be able to get it – or might not be able to take your broadband package with you when you move house
- Setup can be a hassle: If your home hasn’t been connected to Virgin’s services before, setup is a little more involved and may come with extra fees. You’ll most likely need to book an engineer visit, who will need to lay the cables that connect to your house
- Customer service: Virgin Media doesn’t garner the highest scores in Ofcom’s latest customer service report
How fast is Virgin Media broadband?
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:
- M125 – average speeds of 132Mbps, great for everyday use, growing households, and those who love to stream
- M250 – 264Mbps, built for homes that have multiple connected devices
- M350 – 362Mbps, great for gamers, video streamers and at-home workers
- M500 – 516Mbps, the fastest, most widely available fibre optic deal in the UK
- Gig1 – 1,130Mbps, one for tech fanatics and future-proofers
Most areas can get up to M500, while a lucky few can get Gig1 too.
What are Virgin Media’s bundles?
Virgin Media’s combo options let you combine your TV, broadband and phone into one convenient package. Depending on which bundle you choose, you’ll save money and paying one bill is definitely more convenient.
Virgin Media's bundles come in a few different shapes:
- Broadband only
- Broadband + home phone
- Broadband + TV
- Broadband + home phone + TV
- Broadband + home phone + TV + O2 SIM
Some bundles with Virgin Media TV have extra modules thrown in too, such as Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, or Netflix subscriptions.
They go all the way up to the Mega Volt Bundle, which gives you the best of the best of its broadband, TV, and phone options along with an unlimited O2 SIM.
Does Virgin Media offer broadband-only options?
Yes. 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.
Virgin Media TV packages
Virgin is one of a few providers to offer a full-featured TV service, with plenty of channels and premium content.
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.
Read more about Virgin TV options and pick for yourself.
Does Virgin Media offer better deals 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)
If you can't get Virgin...
If you can’t get Virgin Media in your post code, you’re almost certainly served by the Openreach network – used by BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone, NOW, Plusnet, and more. Ultrafast download speeds and full fibre may be available via Openreach providers, or from smaller, independent networks such as Hyperoptic (nationwide), Gigaclear (rural areas), Community Fibre (London), or Cuckoo (nationwide).
Cheaper options are also available from providers that offer more straightforward, frills-free broadband packages – such as TalkTalk, Vodafone, or Plusnet. You’ll get less in terms of premium features, but will pay less per month.
with MoneySuperMarket to see what’s available in your post code.
