Virgin Media Review
Virgin Media offers the UK's fastest widely-available broadband on their own cable network. But is speed everything?
Key Insights
- • Speed: Gig1 delivers 1130 Mbps in real-world tests - fastest widely-available UK broadband
- • Coverage: Only 55% of UK homes - check your postcode first
- • Value: M500 at £27.99/month with Netflix is genuinely competitive
- • Watch out: Prices double after contract ends - set a reminder to renegotiate
What Makes Virgin Different From Other Providers?
The technical difference: Virgin runs its own cable network using DOCSIS technology, completely separate from the Openreach network that BT, Sky, EE, and most other providers share. This means Virgin's speeds aren't affected when your street's cabinet gets congested.
The practical result: Gig1 delivers 1130 Mbps in real Ofcom tests—not theoretical maximums. That's faster than any Openreach-based provider can currently offer to most addresses.
The trade-off: Virgin only covers about 55% of UK homes. Either your address is cabled, or it isn't. There's no "rolling out soon" list to join.
What Does Virgin Do Well?
- ✓Speeds don't drop at peak times: Virgin's cable network handles congestion better than Openreach FTTC.
- ✓No landline required: Save £10-15/month that BT and Sky add for phone line rental.
- ✓Gig1 actually delivers gigabit: 1130 Mbps in real-world tests, unlike some '1Gbps' packages hitting 80 Mbps.
- ✓TV bundles include Sky Sports and Cinema: If you'd pay for these anyway, bundling saves money.
- ✓O2 customers get genuine perks: Volt bundles include speed upgrades and doubled mobile data.
- ✓Installation is quick: Usually 2-3 days versus weeks for new FTTP builds.
What Router and Equipment Do You Get?
Hub 5 Router
WiFi 6 enabled router included free with all packages
Award Winning
Multiple awards for speed and network reliability
What Should You Know Before Signing Up?
Only covers 55% of UK: Check your postcode first—if they're not there, this review won't help you.
Uploads are slow: 20-200 Mbps upload vs 132-2000 Mbps download. Content creators beware.
Prices double after contract: M500 jumps from £27.99 to £56/month. Set a reminder to renegotiate.
Customer service is hit-or-miss: Reddit and Trustpilot have horror stories, but also success stories.
Should You Sign Up With Virgin Media?
Get Virgin if: You're in a covered area, want reliable fast speeds without peak-time slowdowns, and don't upload large files regularly. The M500 deal at £27.99/month with Netflix is genuinely good value.
Skip Virgin if: You need symmetrical upload speeds (look at FTTP providers instead), you're likely to move house within 18 months, or you've had bad experiences with their customer service before.
Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder for month 17 of your contract. That's when you call to renegotiate or switch—before the price doubles.