Virgin Media gives you more download speed for your money than almost anyone else, provided its network reaches your street. It doesn’t use Openreach. Instead it runs its own cable and full fibre network, which covers over half of UK homes.
Our simple pick: Virgin Media M250. It costs exactly the same as M125 right now while giving you twice the speed, and it is quick enough for a family of five. If your home is busy or full of gamers, Gig1 costs only a little more again.
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Virgin Media broadband-only packages
| Package | Average download / upload speed | Monthly price now | From 1 April 2027 | From 1 April 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M125 | 132Mb / 20Mb | £18.99 | £22.99 | £26.99 |
| M250 | 264Mb / 25Mb | £18.99 | £22.99 | £26.99 |
| M350 | 362Mb / 36Mb | £22.99 | £26.99 | £30.99 |
| M500 | 516Mb / 52Mb | £21.99 | £25.99 | £29.99 |
| Gig1 | 1.1Gb / 104Mb | £23.99 | £27.99 | £31.99 |
All packages are on a 24-month contract with no set-up fee and no reward. Prices for new customers ordering online, checked on 15 October 2026. Gig2, with a 2Gb average download speed, is available in limited areas.
M500 currently costs less than M350, so M350 is hard to justify unless the pricing changes.
Who Virgin Media suits
- Homes that want the most download speed per pound.
- TV fans who want Sky channels, Netflix and a recordable TV box from one provider.
- O2 mobile customers, who can unlock extra benefits by combining services.
- Households whose street has no full fibre yet but does have Virgin Media’s cable network.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who uploads a lot. Virgin Media’s upload speeds are low compared with full fibre rivals at similar download speeds.
- People who want the smallest possible annual rise. Virgin Media’s yearly increase is among the larger fixed amounts.
- Homes outside its network, which can’t get the service at all.
Price rises
Virgin Media adds the same fixed amount to every package each year on 1 April, set out in pounds and pence when you order. The table above shows the prices for each year of a new contract.
Router and Wi-Fi
Virgin Media offers a Hub router with every package, with the Hub 5 or Hub 5x on its faster packages and TV bundles. Wi-Fi pods are available if your home has dead spots.
Installation
If your home has had Virgin Media before, you may be able to set up the service yourself with a self-install kit. Otherwise, an engineer will visit to connect the line, which usually takes a couple of hours.
Student and social tariff options
Virgin Media is the only major provider with dedicated 12-month student packages, covered in our student broadband guide. Its Essential Broadband social tariffs are among the cheapest available; see our social tariff guide.
FAQs
Does Virgin Media use the Openreach network?
No. Virgin Media runs its own cable and full fibre network, which is why it isn’t available everywhere.
Is Virgin Media faster than BT?
On download speed, Virgin Media’s packages are faster for the same money in most cases. BT’s full fibre packages offer higher upload speeds than Virgin Media’s equivalents.
Does Virgin Media have a rolling contract?
Not for standard broadband, which is on 24-month contracts. Its Flex TV service is available on a rolling basis, and student packages run for 12 months.
Can I keep my phone number with Virgin Media?
Usually, yes. Ask for your number to be transferred when you order.