Virgin Media M125 is ideal for smaller households that need fast broadband for everyday use. Its 132Mbps average download speed can comfortably handle two 4K TV streams, video calls and online gaming at the same time. You also get 20Mbps uploads, which is enough for video meetings and sending photos or documents.
M125 is not the best choice for frequent large downloads or heavy cloud backups. Before ordering, compare it with Virgin Media M250, which currently offers twice the download speed for the same monthly price.
Key facts
| Detail | Virgin Media M125 |
|---|---|
| Average download speed | 132Mbps |
| Average upload speed | 20Mbps |
| Minimum guaranteed download speed | 66Mbps |
| Network | Virgin Media cable or full fibre |
| Latency | 13.5ms median in Ofcom’s March 2023 cable tests |
| Router | Virgin Media Hub; model varies |
| Annual price increase | £4 each April |
| Add-ons | WiFi Max, Virgin Phone, Virgin TV, Volt benefits |
Minimum speed guarantee
The minimum guaranteed download speed for M125 is 66Mbps to your Virgin Media Hub, not to individual devices over Wi-Fi. If the connection falls below this speed for three consecutive days, Virgin Media has 30 days after you report the problem to put it right. If it cannot fix the issue, you may cancel without an early disconnection fee.
Price rises
Your M125 monthly subscription increases by £4 on 1 April each year. This means you will pay £8 more per month after two April increases during your contract. You can compare these increases with other providers in our broadband price rises guide.
Router
Virgin Media includes a Wi-Fi Hub with M125, but the model depends on your connection and equipment allocation. On its cable network, you may receive a Hub 3, Hub 4 or Hub 5. The newer Hub 5 supports Wi-Fi 6, while Hub 5x is used on Virgin Media’s XGS-PON full fibre network.
At 132Mbps, even the older Hub 3 can handle the full broadband speed over Ethernet. However, the Hub 5 has better Wi-Fi technology for homes with many wireless devices. See our Virgin Media Hubs comparison for specifications and differences.
If some rooms have poor reception, you can add WiFi Max for £8 a month. It provides up to three WiFi Pods if needed and guarantees at least 30Mbps in every room or a £100 bill credit, subject to its conditions. Qualifying Volt customers get WiFi Max at no extra cost.
Home phone
Virgin Phone is available as an extra service with M125. You can connect a compatible telephone directly to your Hub and make calls over the internet. Virgin Media also lets you keep your existing home phone number in most cases.
You can choose from different calling options, including Anytime Chatter for regular calls to UK landlines and mobiles. Your Hub needs power and a working broadband connection for the phone service to operate.
M125 + Virgin Media TV
M125 has enough bandwidth for watching live TV and streaming 4K programmes, even when other family members are online. You can combine it with Virgin Media’s TV services to access entertainment channels, catch-up programmes and streaming apps.
New Virgin Media TV bundles now come with the Stream box as standard. You can also add Virgin Media Flex, which offers a 30-day rolling service with optional entertainment subscriptions. The Stream box does not record programmes like the older Virgin TV 360 box, which is used on compatible cable connections.
Virgin Media M125 for gaming
Virgin Media M125 is great for online gaming on PlayStation, Xbox and PC. Ofcom recorded median latency of 13.5ms for Virgin Media’s 132Mbps cable connection in March 2023. This is good for multiplayer games, although your actual ping will depend on the game server and your connection.
Two people can play online while someone else watches 4K TV. Downloading a 40GB game takes about 40 minutes at full speed, while an 80GB game takes about 81 minutes. These are ideal estimates, and downloads may take longer depending on the gaming platform and device.
Alternatives to consider
- Virgin Media M250 doubles the average download speed to 264Mbps and increases uploads to 25Mbps. At the current prices, it is a better choice than M125 because both cost the same.
- BT Full Fibre 150 offers 150Mbps downloads and faster 30Mbps uploads. It uses the Openreach full fibre network and is worth comparing if available at your address.
- Plusnet broadband is another alternative. Its Full Fibre 145 plan delivers similar download speeds, and it is worth checking the latest prices and contract costs.