Virgin Media Gig1 Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know in 2025

Virgin Media Gig1 represents the pinnacle of consumer broadband in the UK, offering headline download speeds of up to 1,130Mbps. As more households demand faster internet for streaming, gaming, and remote work, gigabit broadband has moved from luxury to necessity for many. But is Gig1 worth the premium price? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Virgin Media's fastest package.

Whether you're considering upgrading from a slower Virgin Media package like M350 or M500, or switching from another provider entirely, this guide will help you make an informed decision.

What is Virgin Media Gig1?

Gig1 is Virgin Media's flagship broadband package, offering average download speeds of 1,130Mbps and upload speeds of 52Mbps. Launched in December 2019, it was the first widely available gigabit broadband service in the UK, initially rolling out to Southampton before expanding nationwide.

The service runs on Virgin Media's hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) network, which uses fibre optic cables to street cabinets and coaxial cables for the final connection to your home. This technology, known as DOCSIS 3.1, allows Virgin Media to deliver gigabit speeds without the need for full fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) infrastructure in most areas.

As of 2024, Gig1 is available to over 15.5 million UK homes, making it one of the most widely accessible gigabit services in the country. You can check availability at your address on the Virgin Media broadband page.

Gig1 Speeds Explained: What to Actually Expect

While Virgin Media advertises Gig1 with average speeds of 1,130Mbps, real-world performance can vary based on several factors. Understanding these nuances is crucial before committing to the service.

Wired vs Wireless Speeds

To achieve speeds close to 1Gbps, you'll need to use a wired Ethernet connection. The Hub 5 router includes a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port specifically designed for Gig1, ensuring your hardware doesn't bottleneck your connection. Standard 1Gbps Ethernet ports will cap your speed at around 940Mbps due to protocol overhead.

Over WiFi, expect realistic speeds of 400-600Mbps with the Hub 5's WiFi 6 technology, depending on your distance from the router and interference from walls or other devices. This is still exceptionally fast and more than sufficient for most wireless activities.

The Upload Speed Reality

One frequent criticism of Gig1 is its asymmetric speeds. While downloads reach over 1Gbps, uploads are limited to 52Mbps on average. This is a limitation of Virgin Media's cable network technology. For comparison, full fibre FTTP services like BT Full Fibre 900 offer symmetrical or near-symmetrical upload speeds.

Peak Time Performance

Unlike some broadband services that suffer significant slowdowns during evening peak hours (7-11pm), Gig1 maintains consistent performance. Ofcom's broadband speed reports consistently show Virgin Media's top tier packages delivering close to advertised speeds even during busy periods. This reliability is one of the key advantages of choosing a premium package.

Gig1 Pricing and Packages

Gig1 is available both as a standalone broadband package and as part of Virgin Media's Volt bundles, which combine broadband with O2 mobile plans for additional benefits.

Standalone Gig1 Pricing

As of December 2024, standalone Gig1 broadband typically costs between £50-62 per month on an 18-month contract. Prices fluctuate based on promotional offers, with the best deals often available during Black Friday, January sales, and other promotional periods.

Setup costs vary but often include free installation during promotional periods. Standard installation involves a Virgin Media engineer visiting your property to connect your home to the network if you're a new customer.

Volt Gig1 Bundles

Virgin Media's Volt bundles combine Gig1 broadband with O2 mobile benefits. When you have both a qualifying Virgin Media broadband package and an O2 mobile plan, you automatically receive Volt benefits:

• Double your mobile data on eligible O2 plans
• Speed boost on your Virgin Media broadband (M125 becomes M250, M250 becomes M500)
• Access to exclusive Volt pricing on bundles
• Combined billing options for convenience

The Volt Gig1 bundle represents the best value for households that also need mobile plans, effectively providing significant savings compared to purchasing services separately.

TV and Phone Add-ons

Gig1 can be bundled with Virgin Media's TV packages (Mix, Maxit, Ultimate) and home phone services. These bundles offer better value than purchasing components separately, though the standalone broadband option remains available for those who don't need traditional TV services.

The Hub 5 Router: Your Gateway to Gigabit

All Gig1 customers receive Virgin Media's Hub 5 router, the company's most advanced home networking equipment. Released in 2021, the Hub 5 represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor and is specifically designed to handle gigabit speeds.

The Hub 5's WiFi 6 technology is particularly important for households with many connected devices. It handles simultaneous connections more efficiently than older WiFi 5 routers, reducing congestion when multiple family members are streaming, gaming, or video calling at the same time.

For larger homes where a single router doesn't provide adequate coverage, Virgin Media offers WiFi Pods—mesh network extenders that work seamlessly with the Hub 5 to eliminate dead spots and maintain consistent speeds throughout your property.

Installation Process

If you're new to Virgin Media, a professional installation is required. Here's what to expect:

For New Customers

1. Availability Check: Virgin Media will confirm whether your address is within their cable network coverage area. If not, you'll need to consider alternative providers.
2. Scheduling: Book an installation appointment at a convenient time. Appointments typically include morning or afternoon slots.
3. Engineer Visit: A Virgin Media engineer will visit your property to run the cable from the street to your home and install the Hub 5 router.
4. Internal Setup: The engineer will position your router, typically near the cable entry point, and ensure everything is working correctly.
5. Activation: Your service goes live, and the engineer will demonstrate that speeds are performing as expected.

The entire installation typically takes 2-4 hours depending on the complexity of your property's setup. Installation is often free during promotional periods.

For Existing Customers

If you're upgrading from a lower Virgin Media package (like M125 or M250), the process is typically simpler. If you already have a Hub 5, your upgrade can often be activated remotely. If you're on an older Hub 4 or Hub 3, you may receive a new Hub 5 by post or via an engineer visit.

Who Actually Needs Gig1?

Gigabit broadband sounds impressive, but it's not necessary for everyone. Here's a realistic assessment of who benefits most from Gig1:

Ideal Gig1 Users

When M500 or M350 May Suffice

For many households, Virgin Media's mid-tier packages offer excellent value:

• Couples or small families: M350 (362Mbps average) handles multiple HD/4K streams and general use comfortably
• Work-from-home professionals: M500 (516Mbps average) provides ample bandwidth for video conferencing and cloud work
• Budget-conscious users: The cost difference between M500 and Gig1 may not justify the speed increase for lighter usage patterns

Gig1 vs Alternative Gigabit Options

Virgin Media isn't the only gigabit provider in the UK. Here's how Gig1 compares to the main alternatives:

Gig1 vs BT Full Fibre 900

BT Full Fibre 900 uses genuine fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology, offering 900Mbps downloads with 110Mbps uploads—significantly faster uploads than Gig1. However, BT's FTTP coverage is more limited, available to around 12 million premises compared to Virgin's 15.5 million+.

Gig1 vs Altnet Providers

Alternative network providers (altnets) like Fibrus, Community Fibre, and Hyperoptic offer full fibre gigabit services with symmetrical speeds (equal upload and download). These providers often offer competitive pricing but have much smaller coverage footprints, typically serving specific cities or regions.

If an altnet is available at your address and offers symmetrical gigabit speeds, they may provide better value than Gig1, particularly if upload speeds are important to you. Check our provider comparison tool to see what's available at your postcode.

Volt Bundles Explained

Virgin Media's Volt programme is a partnership with O2 that provides additional benefits when you have both services. For Gig1 customers, Volt offers significant value:

How Volt Works with Gig1

Since Gig1 is already Virgin Media's fastest package, you don't receive a speed boost (unlike M250 customers who get upgraded to M500 speeds). However, Volt Gig1 customers receive:

• Double data on qualifying O2 mobile plans
• Priority access to O2 events and experiences
• Combined customer service for both services
• Exclusive bundle pricing that can save significant money annually

For households with multiple O2 mobile lines, Volt can provide substantial savings compared to purchasing Virgin Media broadband and O2 mobile separately. Visit our Volt bundles page for current pricing and deals.

Gig1 Pros and Cons

Our Verdict: Is Virgin Media Gig1 Worth It?

Virgin Media Gig1 is an excellent choice for large households, power users, and anyone who wants the fastest consumer broadband currently available in the UK. Its wide availability means millions of homes can access gigabit speeds even where full fibre FTTP hasn't yet arrived.

However, the asymmetric upload speeds are a genuine limitation for content creators, streamers, and those who regularly upload large files. If upload performance is critical to your needs, consider FTTP alternatives where available.

For most households, Virgin Media's M500 package offers the sweet spot of speed and value. Reserve Gig1 for situations where you genuinely need the extra bandwidth—such as a household of 6+ regular internet users or a need for the absolute fastest download speeds available.

Frequently Asked Questions