Virgin broadband review

Virgin Media deals review

In this review

• Virgin Media broadband deals
• Summary
• Features
• Broadband speeds
• Virgin Media router
• Virgin Media broadband rating

Summary

Virgin Media offers the fastest fibre optic broadband of any major broadband provider in the UK as well as a range of exciting broadband, phone and TV bundle deals.

But there can be more to broadband service than simply fast download speeds… Read our review to see whether we think Virgin Media fibre broadband is any good or not.

Features

Virgin Media broadband is fibre optic based only and is currently the fastest broadband commercially available from any of the major ISPs in the UK topping out at an incredible average 516Mbps on the top tariff.

You have a great deal of options to choose from at Virgin so you can opt for a home phone line, or various TV packages in addition to your fibre broadband.

Broadband speeds

The Virgin Media broadband speed is the stand out feature of their service. Realistically every plan currently offered at Virgin would be more than fast enough for the majority of users.

Broadband speeds starts at a quick 54Mbps, through to 108Mbps, 213Mbps, 362Mbps and the top level average speed of 516Mbps. You won’t find faster broadband currently from their rivals at Sky, BT or TalkTalk so if speed is what is required from your broadband connection then Virgin Media is your best option.

Bear in mind that Virgin Media also offer their own TV package viewing deals as part of an overall broadband plan so if you want to keep all your TV subscriptions under one roof you can do this at Virgin.

If you subscribe to one of the Virgin TV packages you will be streaming and downloading large amounts of data. Similarly if you have a large household with people using multiple wireless devices to connect to the Internet (often all at the same time) you will want to opt for one of the faster Virgin broadband plans to ensure continuity of service.

Another bonus is that you do not need to worry about data capping because Virgin Media broadband contracts allow unlimited data transfer – important if you have a line that averages 516Mbps.

The only negative with Virgin Media is that coverage isn’t as wide as some of its rivals. Virgin are a relative newcomer compared to BT so their network has not yet expanded in size to match BT but if you are in one of their service areas their broadband is hard to beat.

Virgin Media router

The router you will receive rom Virgin Media when you sign up to one of their broadband contracts is the Virgin Media Hub 3. The kit is fairly standard when compared to the routers supplied by other broadband providers. It is dual band and has intelligent switching which will automatically move devices from the 2.4GHz band onto the faster 5GHz to improve speeds.

There are 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports built into the Hub which is a bonus if you prefer to use wired connections rather than wireless, although there is no USB port which rules out file or printer sharing somewhat.

Virgin have a system known as Intelligent WiFi which helps to optimise the wireless signal throughout the home and in order to help prevent wireless blackspots you can get a wireless booster from Virgin Media.

Virgin Media broadband rating

By Laurie Walker – 4.5 out of 5.

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