Virgin Media broadband deals

Compare Virgin Media broadband deals

Virgin Media is part of Virgin Media O2. It was the first big broadband provider in the UK to offer speeds over 1,000Mbps (1Gbps). Unlike competitors such as Sky, TalkTalk, and BT, Virgin Media operates its own cable broadband network and TV service rather than using the Openreach infrastructure.  
 
Currently, Virgin Media isn’t strictly a full fibre broadband provider. It uses what’s known as a Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFX) network. But plans are underway to upgrade its entire network to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) full fibre broadband by 2028 using the Nexfibre network. As part of this roll-out, Virgin Media already offers hyper-fast fibre broadband with speeds of up to 2Gbps in nexfibre areas.

Why choose Virgin Media?

Virgin Media broadband has a lot to offer customers looking for high-speed broadband services and more.

  • Virgin Media offers some of the fastest download speeds in the UK – up to 2Gbps in some areas.
  • There’s a wide range of flexible packages, including TV and phone services.
  • You could save money by bundling products together rather than buying them separately.
  • Virgin Media’s comprehensive TV packages include Freeview channels, Sky TV, Sky Sports, and Sky Cinema, plus Netflix Standard. For £7 more, you can upgrade to Netflix Premium, which allows you to watch on four devices simultaneously in 4K Ultra HD.
  • Its broadband and phone deals include calls to UK landlines and mobiles at weekends or anytime depending on the package.
  • Virgin Media’s O2 partnership also gives you access to specific Volt benefits like a broadband speed upgrade and double mobile data, as well as customer perks through O2 Priority.

Drawbacks of Virgin Media

  • Cheaper packages are usually available from other broadband providers.
  • You may need to pay set-up costs.
  • Virgin Media currently only covers just over 60% of UK properties.
  • Broadband speeds can vary depending on where you live. Virgin Media’s top speeds may not be available in your area.
  • Other broadband providers tend to rate higher for customer service.

Virgin Media broadband-only offers

M125 Fibre Broadband
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 132Mbps

M250 Fibre Broadband
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 264Mbps

M350 Fibre Broadband
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 362Mbps

M500 Fibre Broadband
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 516Mbps

Gig1 gigabit broadband
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 1,130Mbps

Student broadband deals

Virgin Media’s broadband deals for students offer unlimited fibre broadband without the 18-month commitment of the standard broadband contract.

Choose from either a 30-day rolling contract or a 12-month contract. You can opt out of the 30-day contract by giving a month’s notice. These contracts may be ideal if you only need broadband for the academic year or for short-term property rental.

Depending on the number of people and the amount of data you use at home, you can choose from M125 Broadband, M250 Broadband, M350 Broadband, or M500 Broadband.

Plus, take advantage of 10% credit back on selected entertainment subscriptions. Virgin Media also promises a ‘guaranteed speed or your money back’.

Virgin Media broadband social tariffs

Essential Broadband
Monthly cost: From £12.50
Contract length: 30 days rolling
Average download speeds: 15Mbps

You could be eligible for this Virgin Media broadband social tariff if you’re receiving:

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit
  • Income-based Employment Support Allowance
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income support

You need to provide your full name, postcode and date of birth, and give your consent for these details to be used in an eligibility check.

Essential Broadband plus
Monthly cost: From £20
Contract length: 30 days rolling
Average download speeds: 54Mbps

The same terms of eligibility apply as above.

 

Virgin Media broadband and TV offers

Big Bundle
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 132Mbps

Includes:

  • M125 Fibre Broadband
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines
  • 100+ TV channels

Bigger Combo Bundle
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 264Mbps

Includes:

  • M250 Fibre Broadband
  • 190+ TV channels
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines

Bigger Combo Bundle + Sports HD
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 264Mbps

Includes:

  • M250 Fibre Broadband
  • Sky Sports HD
  • 195+ TV channels
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines

Bigger Combo Bundle + Movies
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 264Mbps

Includes:

  • M250 Fibre Broadband
  • Sky Cinema HD
  • 200+ TV channels
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines

Big Volt Bundle
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 132Mbps

Includes:

  • M125 Fibre Broadband
  • 100+ TV channels
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines
  • O2 SIM – 6GB data

Bigger Combo Volt Bundle
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 264Mbps

Includes:

  • M250 Fibre Broadband
  • 190+ TV channels
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines
  • O2 SIM

Bigger Combo Volt Bundle
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 362Mbps

Includes:

  • M350 Fibre Broadband
  • 190+ TV channels
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines
  • O2 SIM

Bigger Combo Volt Bundle (M500)
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 516Mbps

Includes:

  • M500 Fibre Broadband
  • 190+ TV channels
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines
  • O2 SIM

Biggest Combo Bundle
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 132Mbps

Includes:

  • M125 Fibre Broadband
  • Sky Cinema HD
  • 210+ TV channels
  • Netflix Standard, with the option to upgrade to Netflix Premium for £7 extra a month
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines

Mega Volt Bundle
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 516Mbps

Includes:

  • M500 Fibre Broadband
  • 230+ TV channels, including Sky Sports HD & Sky Cinema HD
  • Netflix Standard
  • Anytime chatter – calls to UK landlines and mobiles at any time
  • Unlimited O2 SIM – with unlimited data, calls and texts

Essential Broadband plus Stream
Monthly cost: From £20 + a £20 one-off set up fee for Stream
Contract length: 30 days
Average download speeds: 54Mbps

You could be eligible for this Virgin Media broadband deal if you’re receiving:

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit
  • Income-based Employment Support Allowance
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income support

You need to provide your full name, postcode and date of birth, and give your consent for these details to be used in an eligibility check.

Virgin Media broadband and home phone offers

Broadband + Phone
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 132Mbps

Includes:

  • M125 Fibre Broadband
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines

Volt Fibre Broadband + Phone
Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 362Mbps

Includes:

  • M350 Fibre Broadband
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines
  • O2 SIM

Volt Fibre Broadband + Phone

Contract length: 18 months
Average download speeds: 1,130Mbps

Includes:

  • Gig1 Fibre Broadband
  • Weekend chatter – unlimited weekend calls to UK landlines
  • O2 SIM

Does Virgin Media offer deals for new and existing customers?

If you’re switching from a different provider, there’s a range of introductory Virgin Media offers. Some also include extras like free set-up or bill credits of up to £95, depending on what promotions the provider is running when you search.

If you’ve reached the end of a Virgin Media contract, it’s a great time to negotiate a better deal. As an existing customer, you typically have the advantage. Compare broadband deals online before you have the conversation. You have more bargaining power if you find out what competitors are offering.

Does Virgin Media have good customer service?

Virgin Media is often one of the most complained-about broadband providers in Ofcom's provider complaints report. It recently received 18 complaints per 100,000 customers, according to the telecom regulator’s January to March 2024 review.

This may have been partly due to an Ofcom investigation, which began in July 2023 and looked into how Virgin Media handled complaints at the time. This could have prompted more customers to share their customer service issues.

Customer surveys often show that Virgin Media’s service was not rated as highly as many other large providers. But it’s usually rated highly for broadband speeds, with customers feeling that it offers better ultrafast broadband coverage than most providers. Virgin Media was also recognised for its great TV and mobile bundle options.

Does Virgin Media broadband offer any other products?

Quick Start

If you’re a new customer and happy to set up the broadband yourself, you could opt for Virgin Media Quick Start. You get the hardware through the post, labelled and colour-coded. Video guides and expert advice are also provided via the Quick Start helpline. If you get stuck, an engineer can be sent out within 48 hours to finish the job.

Virgin Media Hubs 3, 4 and 5

Virgin Media’s broadband router comes in three different models. Hub 5, the most recent, is powered by Wi-Fi 6, the latest generation Wi-Fi technology which helps deliver faster broadband speeds to supported devices. Able to accommodate multi-gigabit speeds as well as more devices than previous models, Hub 5 is delivered as standard to Virgin Media’s new Gig1 customers.

If you’re an existing customer and you have a Hub 3 or older, you’re eligible for an upgrade when you order the Gig1 Fibre Broadband package.

The Virgin Media Connect app

This is the control unit for your Wi-Fi. You can use it to run a home scan to monitor performance and speed up your broadband connection around the home. You can also pause Wi-Fi on any device, which is useful if you have children or teenagers.

The Virgin Media Connect app is available with Hub 3, 4 and 5.

Virgin Stream

An alternative to Virgin TV, Virgin Stream is a streaming service that lets you update your viewing package every month. If you’re not watching a channel, you can just cancel it.

The Stream box plugs into your TV. It allows you to access Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, Netflix (if you have a subscription), and other TV channels and apps, including YouTube.

Virgin TV 360

With this 4K-ready set-top box you can set up viewing profiles for six people and make use of voice search and multi-room streaming. You can pause, rewind and record your favourite shows as well as access catch-up TV, box sets, films and Ultra HD. Extra 4K-ready 360 mini boxes are also available.

Volt

Volt broadband packages include exclusive benefits for customers using both Virgin Media and O2 services.

Perks include:

  • A broadband speed boost to the next available level of fibre broadband, up to 1Gbps.
  • Double your mobile data on every O2 Pay monthly plan in your household.
  • A Wi-Fi guarantee at no extra cost and up to three Wi-Fi pods if needed.
  • Inclusive data roaming in the O2 Travel Inclusive Zone.

Unlimited O2 SIM

Virgin Media’s Volt bundles include mobile phone services. Depending on the package, you get either an O2 SIM with unlimited data, calls and texts or an O2 SIM with 6Gb of data.

Both SIMs are 5G ready and include data roaming with the O2 Travel Inclusive Zone, which covers 75 destinations.

Extras from O2

Some Virgin Media broadband bundles give you six months’ free access to an ‘Extra’. These Extras include Amazon Prime (but not Amazon Prime Video), Audible and McAfee Mobile Security.

Web Safe and Smart Security

An optional service, Web Safe blocks access to websites with viruses or that contain malicious or unsuitable content. It works with any device connected to your home network and is managed from your My Virgin Media account.

Smart Security is Virgin Media’s latest cybersecurity offering, and it’s free. It adds an extra layer of protection to any device on your network, including smart devices.

Virgin Media broadband FAQs

Can I get Virgin Media broadband without a landline?

Yes. Virgin Media’s network runs entirely on fibre optic and coaxial cables or full fibre. This means you can get connected and use its services without a copper landline, but you can still use a home phone through this connection.

Some customers may still have a phone connection running on the old copper network but that’s due to be upgraded to fibre. If this affects you, you’ll get step-by-step instructions to help you switch. You can usually keep the same phone number.

If you use telecare devices, such as a care alarm or telehealth device, you may need to take action to ensure that those services aren’t affected.

Find out more about Virgin Media’s Digital Voice Switchover.

Inclusive call packages from Virgin Media start at just £1 a month.

Find out more about getting broadband without a landline.

Does Virgin Media offer cheap deals?

Virgin Media broadband deals are competitively priced.

In the competitive broadband market, it’s always worth looking out for special offers. This is particularly true if you’re already a Virgin Media customer or you’ve reached the end of your contract and you’re prepared to haggle.

If you want broadband with TV and/or phone services (landline and mobile), you could save money by opting for a Virgin Media bundle.

For students, Virgin Media offers dedicated broadband deals on shorter 30-day and 12-month contracts. This means you don’t have to pay for services you won’t be using during the holidays.

If you’re receiving Universal Credit or similar, you may be eligible for Virgin Media’s social tariff, Essential Broadband. It costs £12.50 a month for 15Mbps or £20 a month for 54Mbps. Standard broadband packages start from £26 a month.

To find the best Virgin Media package for you, compare broadband deals online. You can also compare cheap broadband deals.

What is Virgin Media’s customer service number?

You can call customer services on 0345 454 111 if you're a Virgin customer.

For products or services advice, there’s also a help page on the Virgin Media website to point you in the right direction.

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