Virgin Media Broadband UK Packages & Prices 2026

Compare Virgin Media broadband from 132Mbps to 2Gbps, cable network, no Openreach required.

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Some of our best broadband deals - March 2026

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BT Broadband — BT YouView+ (Black) with BT TV VIP

BT Broadband — BT YouView+ (Black) with BT TV VIP

100 Mbps

average download speed

£78.00

a month

no setup cost

Price Details

24 month contract

Ultrafast fibre

BT Broadband reseller

Call 03300 296 397 More info or

Get deal
BT Broadband — BT Home Hub 4 (Black) with BT Home Broadband Fibre 2 + BT YouView+ (Black) with BT TV Entertainment

BT Broadband — BT Home Hub 4 (Black) with BT Home Broadband Fibre 2 + BT YouView+ (Black) with BT TV Entertainment

67 Mbps

average download speed

£56.99

a month

£61.99 setup cost

Price Details

24 month contract

Ultrafast fibre

BT Broadband reseller

Call 03300 296 397 More info or

Get deal
BT Broadband — BT Home Hub 4 (Black) with BT Home Broadband Fibre 2 + BT YouView+ (Black) with BT TV VIP

BT Broadband — BT Home Hub 4 (Black) with BT Home Broadband Fibre 2 + BT YouView+ (Black) with BT TV VIP

67 Mbps

average download speed

£114.99

a month

£31.99 setup cost

Price Details

24 month contract

Ultrafast fibre

BT Broadband reseller

Call 03300 296 397 More info or

Get deal

What Is Virgin Media Broadband?

Virgin Media is one of the UK's biggest broadband providers and the only major one that runs entirely on its own independent network, completely separate from Openreach (the BT-owned infrastructure used by Sky, BT, TalkTalk, and most others). This means Virgin is free to offer faster speeds to a larger share of its customers, without the constraints of the shared national copper and fibre network.
Virgin Media was formed in 2006 from the merger of NTL and Telewest. In 2021 it merged with mobile network O2 to become Virgin Media O2. Today it serves around 5 million broadband customers across the UK, covering roughly 60% of UK properties.
Its network is built on a hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) cable infrastructure, with a newer full fibre (FTTP/XGS-PON) rollout underway in partnership with nexfibre, already reaching around 5 million homes. This newer network supports symmetrical upload and download speeds, making Virgin a genuine rival to specialist full fibre providers in the areas it covers.

Virgin Media Broadband Packages: All Speed Tiers (2026)

Virgin Media offers six broadband speed tiers in 2026. Each tier suits a different household type and usage level. The M125 and M500 packages are where most households find the best balance of speed and cost: 132Mbps easily handles four simultaneous HD streams, a video call, and online gaming at the same time. The Gig1 and Gig2 tiers are aimed at households with constant high-demand usage or home offices requiring fast upload speeds alongside download. Prices shown for new customers before April 2026 price rise. Postcode checker required to confirm availability and current pricing.

PackageAvg Download SpeedBest ForStarting Price/Month
Essential (Social Tariff)15 MbpsLow-income households on Universal Credit£12.50
Essential Plus54 MbpsSingle users, light browsing and streaming£20.00
M125132 MbpsSmall households, 2 to 4 devices simultaneously£17.99
M250 / M500264 to 516 MbpsFamily homes, gaming, 4K streaming on multiple screens£19.99
Gig11,130 MbpsPower users, home offices, large households£35.99
Gig22,000 MbpsExtreme speed, nexfibre areas only£51.99

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Virgin Media Volt Bundles: What Are They?

Volt is Virgin Media's bundled offering for customers who also hold an eligible O2 mobile contract. It is one of the more genuinely useful cross-service benefits in the UK broadband market. If you or someone in your household is already on O2, Volt is worth looking at closely. Volt does not require you to take a new O2 contract. If you are already on an eligible O2 plan, you simply apply the Volt benefit when signing up for Virgin Media broadband.

1

Free Broadband Speed Upgrade

You move to the next speed tier at no extra cost. M500 customers get Gig1 speeds at the M500 price.

2

Double Mobile Data on O2

Your O2 SIM gets double the data allowance at no extra charge. If you are on a 25GB plan, you get 50GB. This applies to every eligible O2 SIM on your account, not just the primary line.

3

Priority from O2: Exclusive Rewards

Access to O2 Priority rewards including exclusive event tickets, daily giveaways, and partner discounts on food, travel, and entertainment, at no extra cost.

4

Combined Billing: One Account

Manage both your Virgin Media broadband and O2 mobile through a single account. One bill, one login, one place to check usage and manage your services.

What Router Do You Get With Virgin Media?

Most new Virgin Media customers in 2026 receive the Hub 5 router, which supports Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6 offers faster local speeds, lower latency (important for gaming), and better performance when many devices are connected at once, compared to the older Hub 3 that many existing customers still have.
Customers on the Gig2 package in nexfibre-covered areas receive the Hub 5x, designed specifically for XGS-PON full fibre connections at multi-gigabit speeds.
All broadband-only and bundle customers on M500, Gig1, and Gig2 packages receive the Wi-Fi Guarantee. If your Wi-Fi does not reach a room, Virgin commits to fix the problem or give you a bill credit. This is activated via the Virgin Media Connect app.

Virgin Media Broadband: Honest Pros and Cons

Pros

Fast speeds on its own network

Speeds from 132Mbps to 2Gbps, among the highest available from any major UK provider at the prices offered. No other major provider matches Gig1 at £35.99 per month.

No need for a phone line

Unlike BT, Sky, and TalkTalk, Virgin's broadband does not require a landline. Broadband-only deals are genuinely cheaper with no line rental baked into the monthly price.

Reliable network performance

Named UK's Most Reliable Broadband Experience by Opensignal for two years running, 2024 and 2025. Independent testing across millions of UK connections confirms consistent real-world performance.

Volt value for O2 customers

Getting a free speed tier upgrade simply by being on O2 is a strong and concrete benefit. Double mobile data at no extra charge is also applied to every eligible O2 SIM on your account.

Social tariff for low-income households

Essential Broadband at £12.50 per month with no exit fees for eligible households on Universal Credit. One of the most accessible social tariffs from a major UK provider.

Cons

Only available to around 60% of UK properties

If Virgin is not in your area, you have no option to choose it regardless of how good the deal is. Coverage is fixed to areas originally cabled by NTL and Telewest.

Annual April price rises

New contracts from October 2025 onwards carry a £4 per month rise applied every April. This is above the current inflation rate and above Sky's £3 per month equivalent rise.

Customer service scores below the industry average

Ofcom's latest customer service report places Virgin below the industry average for complaint handling. Worth factoring in if you anticipate needing support during your contract.

Engineer install required for new builds

Homes not previously connected to Virgin's network need a cable installation, which can involve delays and an engineer fee if you opt out of self-install.

The Virgin Media April 2026 Price Rise: What You Need to Know

Virgin Media is applying a £4/month price increase in April 2026 to customers who took out new contracts from October 2025 onwards. Customers on older mid-contract plans from January 2025 see a £3.50/month rise. This is in line with Ofcom's new rules that replaced open-ended CPI-linked increases with fixed pound amounts, but £4/month is still around three times the current UK inflation rate.
Importantly: if you are a mid-contract customer and you receive formal written notice of a price rise, you have a 30-day window from that notification to cancel your contract penalty-free. This is an Ofcom rule that applies to all providers. If you are in this window, it is worth comparing current deals on Switch before deciding whether to stay or move.
The social tariff (Essential Broadband) is exempt from annual price increases.

Is Virgin Media Available in My Area?

Virgin Media covers approximately 60% of UK properties, primarily across major cities, suburban areas, and some rural locations that were cabled during the original NTL and Telewest rollouts. It is not available in all areas, and its network footprint is fixed, it does not expand as quickly as Openreach-based providers.
The nexfibre expansion is gradually adding new areas to the network, with a target of 7 million homes by 2028. However, even in areas that gain nexfibre coverage, there is typically a lead time between the network being built and consumer packages being available.
The fastest way to check is to enter your postcode on Switch. The postcode checker shows you instantly whether Virgin Media is available at your address and, if so, which speed tiers are accessible.

How Do Virgin Media Broadband Deals Compare to BT and Sky?

The clearest advantage Virgin holds over BT and Sky is speed at a given price point. The M500 package at around £20/month delivers 516Mbps, a level that BT cannot reach on a similarly priced plan. For households in Virgin's coverage area who prioritise speed, it is often the strongest value option. The main risk with Virgin is the annual April price rise and the more limited coverage footprint compared to Openreach-based providers. If you move house, there is no guarantee Virgin will be available at your new address. Prices are indicative for new customers as of May 2026.

FactorVirgin MediaBTSky
Network typeOwn cable/fibre (HFC + nexfibre)Openreach FTTP/FTTCOpenreach FTTP/FTTC
Max available speed2,000 Mbps (Gig2)900 Mbps (Full Fibre 900)500 Mbps
Entry-level price£17.99/month (M125)~£31.99/month (FTTC)~£25/month
Phone line requiredNoOptionalYes (TV bundles)
Annual price rise£4/month (fixed)£3/month (fixed)£3/month (fixed)
Social tariffYes, £12.50/monthYes, BT BasicNo
Coverage~60% of UK~70%+ of UK~70%+ of UK

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5 Signs You Should Compare Virgin Media Broadband Deals Today

1

Your current deal ends in the next 30 to 49 days

Most providers let you leave penalty-free in the final 30 to 49 days. Use that window to compare and lock in your next deal before being rolled onto a rolling monthly tariff at a higher price.

2

You are paying more than £30 per month for speeds under 100Mbps

Virgin Media broadband deals frequently offer 132Mbps and above at prices well below £30 per month for new customers. If you are overpaying for slow speeds, there is likely a better Virgin deal at your postcode.

3

You are on O2 mobile

Volt bundles give O2 customers a free speed tier upgrade. That is free extra speed at no extra cost, worth checking even if you are mid-contract on your current broadband.

4

You have not compared in the last 12 months

Broadband pricing shifts every quarter. A deal that was competitive 18 months ago may no longer be the best value available at your postcode.

5

Your current provider has announced a price rise

Under Ofcom rules, a formal price rise notification gives you a penalty-free cancellation window. It is the clearest signal to compare alternatives now.

How to Switch to Virgin Media Broadband: 4 Simple Steps

Switching to Virgin Media through Switch takes under five minutes. Virgin Media contacts your previous provider, you do not need to call them yourself. Most homes that have had Virgin before can use a QuickStart self-install pack.

1

Check Availability

Enter your postcode on Switch. The tool instantly shows whether Virgin Media is available at your address, which speed tiers are accessible, and the current pricing for each package.

2

Choose Your Package

Pick the speed that fits your household. For most homes, M125 (132Mbps) or M500 (516Mbps) hits the right balance of speed and cost. If you are on O2 mobile, look at Volt options to see whether a free speed upgrade is available to you.

3

Order Through Switch

Complete your order. Virgin Media will contact your previous provider, you do not need to call them yourself. If your home has not previously been connected to Virgin's network, an engineer visit will be arranged. Most homes that have had Virgin before can use a QuickStart self-install pack.

4

Your 14-Day Cooling-Off Period

After ordering, you have 14 calendar days to cancel at no cost. Your current broadband continues until your Virgin Media installation date. There is no gap in service.

Compare Virgin Media Broadband Deals: Takes Under 2 Minutes

Switch lets you compare every current Virgin Media broadband deal alongside BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet, and other major UK providers. Enter your postcode to see what is available at your address, view the real monthly costs including the April price rise, and order your chosen deal online, without having to contact your old provider.

Whether you want the fastest speeds available, the lowest monthly cost, or the best bundle for your TV and mobile, Switch shows you the right answer for your postcode in seconds.

Frequently asked questions

What speeds does Virgin Media offer in 2026?

Virgin Media offers six broadband speed tiers in 2026: Essential (15Mbps), Essential Plus (54Mbps), M125 (132Mbps), M250/M500 (264–516Mbps), Gig1 (1,130Mbps), and Gig2 (2,000Mbps). Not all tiers are available in all areas — enter your postcode to check which speeds are available at your address.

How much does Virgin Media broadband cost per month?

Is Virgin Media available in my area?

What is the Volt bundle and do I qualify?

Does Virgin Media require a phone line?

What happens if I move house — will I keep my Virgin Media service?

What router does Virgin Media give you?

Can I cancel Virgin Media if they raise my prices?

Is Virgin Media good for gaming?

How does Virgin Media broadband compare to full fibre?

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