bluePurpleOne.svgbluePurpleTwo.svgbluePurpleThree.svg

Our broadband speeds explained

We understand your need for speed, which is why we aim to deliver ultrafast speeds you can rely on. We’ve put together all the facts, figures and FAQs to back up our claims so you can see exactly what you’re getting.

Our estimated broadband speeds

To make our broadband speeds crystal clear, we’ve set them out in a handy table. These estimated speeds apply to all new customers who buy our broadband services, and to existing customers who change their broadband services, on or after 1st August 2020.

Download Speeds

Last updated: on the 9th of May 2023.

Product
Advertised Speed*
Expected Speed Range**
Minimum Guaranteed Download Speed

M50

54 Mbps

52 - 55 Mbps

27 Mbps

M125

132 Mbps

133 - 136 Mbps

66 Mbps

M250

264 Mbps

265 - 273 Mbps

132 Mbps

M350

362 Mbps

362 - 381 Mbps

181 Mbps

M500

516 Mbps

492 - 542 Mbps

258 Mbps

Gig1 Fibre Broadband

1130 Mbps

1067 - 1137 Mbps

565 Mbps

Upload speeds

Last updated: on the 9th of May 2023.

Product
Advertised Speed*
Expected Speed Range**

M50

5 Mbps

5 Mbps

M125

20 Mbps

21 Mbps

M250

25 Mbps

25 - 26 Mbps

M350

36 Mbps

35 - 37 Mbps

M500

36 Mbps

35 - 37 Mbps

Gig1 Fibre Broadband

52 Mbps

50 - 52 Mbps

*The advertised download and upload speeds for our Virgin Fibre packages are calculated by taking the median average, or the mid-point between the fastest and slowest speeds for each package at peak times (8-10pm), each month. This is in line with the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) guidance.

** The expected speed range is the normal download and upload speed that you could expect at peak times (8-10pm, Monday-Sunday). This is in line with Ofcom’s guidance.

More about our speeds

Our advertised speeds

The advertised download and upload speeds for our broadband packages are average speeds, calculated by taking the mid-point between the fastest and slowest speeds for each package at peak times (8-10pm). We’ve done this in line with the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) guidance.

As these are average speeds, they’re not guaranteed.

Normally available speed range

The ‘normally available speed range’ is the download and upload speed that you can expect your Virgin Media Hub to get at peak times (8-10pm, Monday-Sunday). This is in line with Ofcom’s Voluntary Code of Practice for Better Broadband Speed Information, which we’ve signed up to.

The data for our advertised and normally available speeds comes from a broadband measurement panel made up of our real customers spread out across our network. Powered by SamKnows, we run millions of tests a month to understand how our broadband is performing.

Things that may affect broadband speeds

The actual speed you experience can be lower than estimated. Broadband speeds may be affected by things we can’t control – like the use of WiFi, the device you’re using, the wiring in your building and the number of users online and accessing a particular website. Also, at peak times, high usage e.g. during major sporting events, may cause congestion.

Our minimum download speed guarantee

The actual speed of your service may vary, but for new customers and existing customers who change their broadband services on or after 28th February 2019, we now provide a minimum download speed guarantee to your Virgin Media Hub. This is 50% of the advertised speed for your broadband service on the date you placed your order.

Our current advertised speeds are listed in the table above. You’ll need to keep your Hub plugged in and switched on for us to get speed information from it. The minimum download speed guarantee does not apply to outages.

The right to end your contract

If the download speeds to your Virgin Media Hub falls below our minimum download speed guarantee for three consecutive days (continuously or intermittently) and we’re unable to fix the problem within 30 days, you may be able to leave your contract without paying an early disconnection fee. That goes for new customers, or existing customers who change their broadband services on or after 28th February 2019.

Traffic Management

We don’t use traffic management, meaning you can download and upload as much as you like without traffic management slowing you down. The exception to this is for customers that have agreed to a limit on their broadband usage.

We do have other reasonable traffic management measures across our network in order to meet our legal obligations, maintain the integrity and security of our networks, give you parental controls and provide you with the services you've asked us to.

For more details on our traffic management and other reasonable traffic management measures, please go to virginmedia.com/traffic.

Speed you can rely on

Great internet experiences can move you, but only when your connection is truly great. Our cable’s thicker copper core combined with quality insulation allows us to deliver average speeds of 1130Mbps on our top widely available tier, Gig 1 Fibre Broadband.

We own the entire network to your home which means we can measure the reliability of your connection from beginning to end – including your Virgin Media Hub.

Check out our handy table below to see how reliable our entire network has been.

Time period
Reliability

July 2022-Dec 2022

99.93%

Essential broadband - download speeds

Essential broadband is available to new and existing customers in receipt of Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-based Employment Support Allowance. For more information, including how to apply, see virginmedia.com/essential.

Product
Advertised Speed*
Expected Speed Range**
Minimum Guaranteed Speed

Essential broadband

15Mbps

15 - 16Mbps

8Mbps

Essential broadband plus

54Mbps

53 - 55Mbps

27Mbps

Essential broadband - upload speeds

Product
Advertised Speed*
Expected Speed Range**

Essential broadband

2Mbps

2Mbps

Essential broadband plus

5Mbps

5Mbps

*The advertised download and upload speeds for our Virgin Fibre packages are calculated by taking the median average, or the mid-point between the fastest and slowest speeds for each package at peak times (8-10pm), each month. This is in line with the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) guidance.

**The expected speed range is the normal download and upload speed that you could expect at peak times (8-10pm, Monday-Sunday). This is in line with Ofcom’s guidance.

Legacy products

Applies to existing customers who re-contracted with us on or after 28th February 2019.

Product
Advertised Speed*
Minimum Guaranteed Speed

M70

70 Mbps

35 Mbps

M600

630 Mbps

315 Mbps

Legacy products - upload speeds

Applies to existing customers who re-contracted with us on or after 28th February 2019.

Product
Advertised Speed*
Expected Speed Range**

M70

5 Mbps

3 Mbps

M600

41 Mbps

39 - 42 Mbps

Legacy products

Applies to existing customers who re-contracted with us between 28th February 2019 and 31st Jul 2020.

Product
Advertised Speed*
Minimum Guaranteed Speed

M50

54 Mbps

27 Mbps

M125

132 Mbps

66 Mbps

M250

264 Mbps

132 Mbps

M350

362 Mbps

181 Mbps

M500

516 Mbps

258 Mbps

Gig1 (1Gb)

1,140 Mbps

570 Mbps

Legacy products - upload speeds

Applies to existing customers who re-contracted with us between 28th February 2019 and 31st Jul 2020.

Advertised Speed*
Minimum Guaranteed Speed

5 Mbps

3 Mbps

10 Mbps

5 Mbps

20 Mbps

10 Mbps

36 Mbps

18 Mbps

52 Mbps

26 Mbps

*The advertised download and upload speeds for our Virgin Fibre packages are calculated by taking the median average, or the mid-point between the fastest and slowest speeds for each package at peak times (8-10pm), each month. This is in line with the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) guidance.

**The expected speed range is the normal download and upload speed that you could expect at peak times (8-10pm, Monday-Sunday). This is in line with Ofcom’s guidance.

Ofcom Speed Code Information - FAQs

Broadband Speed Information - FAQs

Right to Cancel - FAQs

How's this for the trophy cabinet?

With us, you can rest assured that you're with the fastest widely available broadband provider in the land... but you don't have to take our word for it - uSwitch agree...

null