What does Essential broadband include?
Stay connected with average speeds of 15Mbps for £12.50 a month or 54Mbps for £20 a month.
Virgin Media WiFi Hub
Delivering fast and reliable WiFi speeds to your home, with no traffic management to slow you down, even at peak times.
30-day rolling contract
A flexible 30-day rolling contract that you can cancel at any time, with no exit fees. If you do wish to cancel your social tariff broadband, start a live chat with us and let us know, we’ll take care of the rest. Can’t get Essential broadband but still want a rolling contract? Visit our Rolling Contract page.
Free set up
Whether you go for one of our QuickStart self-installation kits or prefer to get your broadband installed by one of our engineers, we’ll get you set up and online at no extra cost.
Our speeds explained
Virgin Media broadband will provide your home with the speed and reliability to keep everyone happy and connected. Our speeds explained.
FAQs
Free broadband isn’t generally available in the UK, some providers offer ‘social tariffs’ instead (discounted broadband packages, cheaper than the standard rate). People on the above criteria can get online for £12.50 a month with our Essential broadband packages.
Only the account holder receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-based Employment Support Allowance can apply. Once you've given us all the details we need, we’ll check the information and process your order for Essential broadband.
We’ll need details such as your full name, date of birth, post code and your consent to check with the Department of Work and Pensions that you are on any of the following: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-based Employment Support Allowance.
The name and address will need to be the same as your Virgin Media account, whether you’re applying as a new or existing customer. The eligibility check is re-run every 12 months when you are resubscribing. We will inform you about the result of the eligibility check regardless of the result.
If you’re already in a contract with us, we’ll swap you over to one of our Essential broadband packages straight away and you won’t have to pay any fees or extra charges. Go to live chat for more details.
You can pay your Virgin Media bill several ways:
- Direct Debit
- Online payment
- Over the phone
- Bank transfer (via online or phone banking)
- Cash payment
- Cheque
Visit our help centre for more information on how to pay your Virgin Media bill.
We’ll do all we can to keep your broadband up and running, so speak to us as soon as possible if you’re going to have trouble paying your monthly bill. Once you get in contact, we can discuss your options.
We’ll check to see if you’re still eligible for our Essential broadband packages every 12 months and notify you of the outcome of the eligibility check. If you are, you’ll continue to be charged £12.50 a month for Essential broadband, or £20 a month for Essential broadband plus. If you no longer receive support payments or if your eligibility check fails, the monthly price will increase to our standard pricing for each package respectively. If you simply wish to cancel your Essential broadband, just let us know via live chat.
Stream brings over 40 free TV channels, the option to add entertainment subscriptions like Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, Netflix, and Disney+ Premium, plus your favourite Catch up and On Demand TV apps, all under one roof and on one bill. Swap your entertainment subscriptions each month too, as they’re all on a fuss-free rolling contract.
Just plug the Stream box into your telly, kick back and, well, stream on.
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The legal stuff
Virgin Media services are only available in eligible Virgin Media network areas. TV 360, home phone, Volt benefits and WiFi Guarantee not currently available in 2022/23 network expansion areas.
You can find all the information you need about the Essential broadband packages in the terms and conditions.