Virgin Media Broadband

Page last updated 12 February 2026

Discover Virgin broadband

Whether you’re a light or heavy internet user, Virgin Media has a wide range of broadband packages to choose from. Discover more about Virgin Media and its promise of 'superfast, reliable speeds'.

Key points

• Virgin Media has an average download speed of 1,130 Mbps on its top tier package
• Its top speeds come from its unique technology - a hybrid of coaxial and fibre optic cables called HFC
• You can combine your broadband, TV and landline to see if you can save money on a bundled deal

Virgin Media's HFC network reaches over half of homes and businesses in the UK. Project Lightning is Virgin's biggest foray into full fibre technology to expand its network, particularly in rural areas.

You can use our broadband postcode checker to see if Virgin Media serves your area.

Virgin Media broadband

Virgin Media’s broadband plans start with average download speeds of 12 Mbps (for its Essentials social tariff), all the way up to 1,130 Mbps. As a rule, the faster the advertised speed, the more expensive it’ll be.

Its slowest commercial package is M125, with an average download speed of 132 Mbps, while the next step up is M250, with average download speeds of 264 Mbps.

Virgin offers some of the fastest broadband around. It claims that, on average, its download speeds are 16x faster than the national average. And its Gig1 Fibre Broadband can give you average download speeds of 1,130 Mbps.

They’ll also give you various different perks depending on the deal. These include:

• Virgin Media Essential Security, which helps keep your devices and your family safe online
• Wi-Fi Guarantee - A promise that you’ll enjoy download speeds of up to 20 Mbps in every room or receive £100 in credit
• O2 Priority - Daily treats, exclusive offers, access to early-bird tickets, and more via the Priority app

Virgin Media bundles

Virgin Media also offers customers the option to bundle its broadband in with TV packages, landline phones and mobile SIMs.

The bundles differ widely in what they offer. Virgin offers a number of bundle packages, including:

• Entertainment Bundle - Includes over 200 TV channels and the M125 broadband package with 132 Mbps average speed
• Sport Bundle - Includes over 200 TV channels, the M125 broadband package with 132 Mbps average speed and the Sky Sports HD collection with live Premier League action
• Max Bundle - Includes over 230 TV channels, Gig1 broadband with speeds of 1,130Mbps, Sky Sports HD, Sky Cinema HD and an unlimited O2 SIM card

Low-commitment telly with Flex

If you're interested in a combo broadband and TV deal but don't want to commit, Virgin offers the Flex option.

Flex lets you add TV to your broadband on a 30-day rolling contract basis. You can always upgrade to a longer TV contract if you like.

O2 perks with Virgin bundles

Virgin is partnered with O2, so if you go for a mobile phone SIM as part of your Virgin Media bundle, you unlock their reward scheme Priority O2. This means:

• Advance access to event tickets
• Prize draws
• Discounts on treats (like half-price pizza)

What Virgin fibre broadband plans can I get?

The technology delivering most Virgin broadband is a hybrid of fibre optic and coaxial cables known as HFC. While most of Virgin's network isn't technically full fibre:

• HFC is more than capable of delivering the high speeds normally associated with full fibre (every commercially available Virgin package is over 100 Mbps)
• Virgin is now rolling out full fibre to support the fastest possible speeds

Virgin is working with fibre provider nexfibre to deliver gigabit-capable broadband. The Gig2 broadband service is available in limited parts of the UK (including parts of Cardiff, Go.Compare's home city) and coverage is growing.

The number of gigabit broadband packages on the market is growing and Virgin is just one of many providers. Put your postcode into our address checker to see if the top speeds are available where you live.

What Virgin Media Broadband speeds are available?

You can get different broadband speeds depending on your household size and internet usage. If more people work from home or stream, a faster internet package with higher Mbps would be the right choice.

To make things easier, here are the different broadband speeds Virgin Media Broadband currently offers:

What broadband speed do I need?

Your ideal speed category depends on how many people are sharing your internet connection and what they're using it for.

Virgin's lowest speed category, the M125 deal, should be enough to allow a few people to stream Netflix or join Zoom calls at the same time. If you need more, there are plenty of options but don't overpay for bandwidth you're not using. Our guide to what internet speed you need can help you get an idea.

Does Virgin Media provide broadband only deals?

Virgin Media offers various broadband packages that are tailored to different household needs. Here are a few bundles that you can choose from:

How long are Virgin Media Broadband contracts for?

There are two main options for broadband contracts if you opt for Virgin Media broadband:

• Fixed-term contracts - These are for a term of nine, 12, 18 or 24 months, depending on what bundle you choose. If you leave before your minimum term ends, you’ll need to give 30 days’ notice and you will pay an early disconnection fee
• 30-day rolling contracts - These are good if you don’t want to be tied into a long contract for a fixed time period. There will be a one-off flexi fee and you’ll pay for your broadband monthly. To cancel, you will just need to give 30 days notice

Which contract length should I go for?

Wondering if you should choose a fixed term or a rolling broadband contract? Read through our explainer to see which one works for you.

Four reasons to go for a 30-day rolling broadband contract

• Flexibility - If you want short-term internet access while moving or travelling, a short-term contract can be a great option. You get to keep your contract rolling for as long as you need and then cancel it with just 30 days' notice
• Choose to get an add-on - If you want a landline, you could get it as an add-on for a short period of time along with your broadband
• No early disconnection fees - All you have to do is give 30 days' notice and you won’t be charged any early disconnection fees
• Different internet speeds - Being on a short-term broadband contract doesn’t mean you have to compromise for a good internet speed. You can choose from a range of superfast broadband speeds to find what works best for you

Three reasons you might want to choose a long-term broadband contract:

• Different broadband bundles - There are many broadband options available for you, whether you live alone or in a multi-person house. You can opt for broadband and TV bundles, add a landline or even bolt on an O2 SIM
• Cheaper cost - The longer your broadband contract is, the less it’s likely to cost per month. This is because you’re agreeing to a long-term commitment with a broadband provider
• Incentives - With longer contracts, you can get bill credits, discounts or other incentives to get you to stay for longer. You can make use of these to lower your monthly cost

How do I buy Virgin Media broadband?

Virgin's network reaches just over half of homes and businesses in the UK. To find out if your home can get Virgin broadband, use our address checker. If Virgin doesn't serve your home yet, you can see all your other options.

Once you've chosen a deal, it's easy to sign up through our website. It's also easy to leave your old provider, thanks to One Touch Switch.

Virgin deals for new customers

Every now and then, Virgin runs a special offer like lifting the activation fee or giving you extra perks with your broadband - especially now they're partnered with O2.

If you have a while to go on your existing contract with a different provider, it's worth checking through the Virgin deals a few times over the weeks and months you have left.

If you're switching to Virgin from another provider and your home hasn't had Virgin broadband before, you'll need an engineer visit. As of January 2026, Virgin is offering free installation for homes who need an engineer.

Virgin deals for existing customers

There can be some nice perks for existing customers. You'll find your personalised offers when you log in to your Virgin Media account.

If you've completed the minimum term of your contract with Virgin, now is a great time to get in touch and see if they'll offer incentives for staying with them. Our guide to haggling with your broadband provider has some helpful tips.

Virgin deals for students

Are you a student seeking broadband for your term-time digs? Virgin is one of a few providers that offers deals specifically for you. Student offers usually come out in the summer before the new term starts, so keep checking back.

How do I buy Virgin Media Broadband when moving house?

If you're already a Virgin Media broadband customer, your first step is to put your new postcode into the Virgin website's address checker to see how easy it is to get Virgin at your new place. There are three possible outcomes.

1. Virgin is already set up at your new address
   You can plug in your own connection using a Quick Setup kit. Virgin can activate your new address on move day and deactivate your old address the day before. This costs £20.
2. Virgin is available at your new place, but not installed
   You'll need an engineer visit. It could take up to a fortnight to get up and running, but Virgin say it's usually quicker. You'll still pay a £20 activation fee but you won't pay extra for the engineer visit.
3. Virgin isn't available in your new area
   If your new home doesn't have access to the Virgin network, you'll need to cancel your service. Virgin will let you off the early exit fees if you give them proof of your new address. You'll need to find a new internet provider, so start by comparing your broadband options with us.

How do I switch to Virgin Media Broadband?

Virgin's coverage is growing all the time and switching to a new provider has never been easier, thanks to a new system called One Touch Switch. Also, you'll probably get away without paying a fee for the engineer to install Virgin's cables.

• Put your postcode into our address checker
• If Virgin broadband is available at your address, you'll see the deals in your search results
• Compare the options
• See if you can get a faster connection at the right price
• Choose a deal and sign up

Can I switch to Virgin Media Broadband for free?

No, Virgin usually charges an activation fee and there may also be a setup fee. See the FAQs below for more details.

If you're still within the minimum contract period with your existing broadband provider, you will probably have to pay an exit fee to leave. Our guide to broadband cancellation rights explains more.

Is Virgin Media reliable?

Connectivity analysts Opensignal named Virgin Media the most reliable broadband provider in the UK in 2025. The Virgin Media network came out top in every technical category.

You'll only benefit from this reliability if your home is within reach of Virgin's cables. Just over half of homes and businesses in the UK have access to Virgin.

How good is Virgin Media's customer service?

As of January 2026, Virgin Media has a rating of 1.3 on independent review site Trustpilot. This means it's classed as ‘Bad’.

Ofcom says that it receives 11 complaints about Virgin's fixed broadband service for every 100,000 customers. This is higher than the industry average for fixed broadband.

Most dissatisfied broadband customers don't complain, and those who do complain usually don't escalate to Ofcom. So that 11 in 100,000 figure doesn't represent all unhappy Virgin customers.

Many online reviews and forum posts mention that Virgin makes it very difficult for you to speak to a human if you're trying to contact them with a problem.

Virgin Media Comparison

Virgin Media vs Sky

Like most broadband providers in the UK, Sky runs on the BT Openreach network. This means:

• Sky covers a lot more homes and businesses than Virgin - use our address checker to see if Virgin is an option in your area
• Sky offers more deals at slower speeds, including some provision for old-style ADSL connections

Both Virgin and Sky offer a wide range of tariffs and are capable of very fast speeds. Probably the biggest difference is at the top end of the speed range. While both break the gigabit broadband barrier, Sky's fastest package is the 5 Gigafast+ at 5,000 900 Mbps, whereas Virgin’s fastest comes in at 1,130 Mbps.

Virgin Media vs Starlink

Uptake of Starlink's satellite broadband has been growing since it reached the UK in February 2025. But it's still quite a niche product compared to Virgin's well-established fixed broadband offering. Virgin wins on both price and speed.

Virgin Media vs BT broadband

The BT Group is using two brands for its internet offering: BT Broadband and EE. It's gradually moving towards making EE the main brand for the customer-facing side of the business.

Virgin Media vs Community Fibre

Virgin Media and Community Fibre both lay their own cables rather than using the BT Openreach network for their service.

Virgin Media is the biggest and best-known alternative to Openreach, maintaining a cable network that reaches just over 53% of UK homes.

Community Fibre is an altnet, one of a number of independent broadband companies to build and maintain their own network. Like most altnets, it’s limited to a specific geographical area. Community Fibre reaches around a third of homes in London and nothing outside London.

FAQs

Is there a difference in Virgin Media deals for new and existing customers?

Yes, Virgin Media often has deals exclusively for existing customers. These could include deals on broadband, TV channels or mobile phone plans with partner O2. If you’re already a customer, you can log into the Virgin site to see the details of what’s on offer.

How much does Virgin Media broadband cost?

Virgin Media broadband services start at £23.99 a month. That doesn’t include any fees for activation or setup.

The price of a deal mainly depends on:

• The speed category you choose (use our bandwidth calculator to help you decide)
• The package you choose - if you want a landline or digital TV services as well, you’ll obviously pay more than for broadband alone but the bundle will be cheaper than if you got all those services separately

If Virgin broadband is available at your address, you’ll see the prices of available deals in your search results on our site.

How long does it take to install Virgin Media and is there an installation charge?

Virgin usually charge:

• £35 to activate your service
• £30 on top of that for an engineer visit without QuickStart

You can avoid the engineer fee by setting up your own broadband using their QuickStart option. They send you the Wi-Fi router, the cables and instructions for plugging it all in. It's estimated that getting the broadband set up will take you about half an hour.

QuickStart isn’t available for every address, so some homes still need an engineer to come out. If you’ve requested QuickStart but can’t get it, Virgin will waive the engineer fee. The rough timings are:

• Four to 14 days to get your QuickStart kit
• Up to 14 days for an installation appointment

Installation will happen sooner if the building has had Virgin Media before.

Occasionally Virgin runs a promotion where they get rid of the service activation fee, but this is subject to change. Always check for the most recent offers when you’re comparing deals.

As of 11th March 2026, there are active broadband providers on the panel at Go.Compare