What broadband speed do I need? A guide to all the speeds

Broadband speed is how fast data can be sent and received over the internet. It’s usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps), with a higher broadband speed meaning that websites, videos, and downloads load faster.

Different online activities need different broadband speeds. For example, browsing the web or checking emails doesn’t need much speed, but streaming videos in HD or 4K and playing online games need a certain amount of Mbps to run smoothly without buffering or lag.  And if multiple people in a home are using the internet at the same time, you’ll need an even faster broadband speed to keep everything fast.

Broadband speed can be generally split into two different metrics that determine how fast your internet is:

• Download speed is the speed you’ll usually see advertised online. It’s how fast data comes from the internet to your device, which affects things like streaming, browsing, and downloading files.  

• Upload speed is how fast data is sent from your device to the internet, and it’s important for video calls, online gaming, and uploading files to the cloud. Most internet providers offer higher download speeds than upload speeds because people usually download more than they upload.  

Not sure how fast your broadband is? Use our broadband speed test to check your internet speed and find out if it's fast enough for your home.

The broadband speeds available in the UK today range from around 50mbps to 1 gbps (1000 mbps) and beyond. At Virgin Media, we offer speeds that suit every household, starting from 150 Mbps with our M125 broadband and up to 1130 Mbps with our gigabit broadband.

Here’s a breakdown of each of our broadband speeds and what they mean for you:

The broadband speeds available to you depend on the area that you live in and whether you're in an eligible Virgin Media fibre network area.

The broadband speed you can get depends on where you live and the package you choose. If you live in an urban area with access our superfast fibre network, you could get speeds of up to 1,130 Mbps our gigabit broadband.

Not sure what you can get in your area? Use our helpful broadband postcode checker to see what speeds are available where you are.

The broadband speed you need depends on how you use the internet and how many people or devices are connected at the same time. If you’re the only one that uses the internet at home and only use it for basic things like browsing websites, checking emails, or social media, a speed of around 25-50 Mbps will usually be enough.

But if you like streaming shows on Netflix or online gaming, you’ll need much faster broadband speed – especially if there’s more than one of you using the internet at the same time.

Here's our guide to what broadband speed you'll need depending on what you use the internet for:

Broadband speed for browsing and social media

For basic internet use like browsing websites, reading emails, and scrolling through social media, you don’t need a super-fast connection. A speed of 5–10 Mbps is usually enough to load web pages quickly, check news sites, and visit online stores without waiting too long. If you like using social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, or X, this speed works well for looking at posts, liking pictures, and even watching short videos.

If multiple people in your home are browsing at the same time, or if you often open many tabs at once, you may need a slightly faster speed. A connection of 25 Mbps will keep everything running smoothly, especially if you also stream music in the background or download any files.

Broadband speed for streaming movies and TV shows

Streaming movies and TV shows requires a faster internet connection than just browsing. For high-definition (HD) streaming, you'll need a speed of at least10–25 Mbps to keep everything running smoothly. This lets you watch shows on Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube without buffering, as long as no one else in your house is using too much internet at the same time.

If you love watching movies and shows in 4K Ultra HD, which is the highest video quality, you’ll need at least 50–100 Mbps, especially if others in your home are also streaming or using the internet. A 4K video has a lot more detail than HD, so it takes up more data.

Broadband speed for gaming

Online gaming needs a fast and stable connection to avoid lag, which is when the game slows down or freezes. Most games don’t actually need a super high-speed internet connection, but they do need low latency, which is the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action happen on the screen. A speed of 50–100 Mbps is good for casual gaming, like playing multiplayer games with friends or exploring open-world games online.

But if you play competitive games where every second matters, such as first-person shooters (like Call of Duty or Fortnite) or racing games, you’ll need a faster connection. A speed of 200–300 Mbps will help reduce lag and make sure your actions happen in real-time. If multiple gamers are playing in your household at the same time, or if you also stream your gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube, you may need even higher speeds, around 350 Mbps or more.

If you're a gamer, check out our gaming broadband deals to see all of our ultrafast options we've got on offer. All our gaming packages are 350 Mbps or more, so you always get the speeds you need and can say goodbye to ping and latency issues.

Broadband speed for Video Calls and Remote Work

Working from home or attending online classes requires a reliable internet connection. For basic video calls on Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams, you need at least 5–10 Mbps to have a clear picture and avoid choppy audio. If you only do one-on-one video calls, this speed is usually fine, but for group calls or high-definition video meetings, you’ll need at least 25 Mbps to keep everything running smoothly.

If your job involves uploading large files, sending emails with attachments, or sharing your screen during meetings, a faster connection will help. A speed of 50 Mbps or higher is recommended for professionals who work from home regularly. If multiple people in your home are working remotely, attending virtual classes, or making video calls at the same time, aim for at least 100 Mbps to prevent slow connections or video freezing.

Broadband speed for large households and multiple devices

If you live in a home with multiple people using the internet at the same time, you’ll need a faster connection than usual to avoid slowdowns. A family with 3–5 people watching videos, playing online games, and working from home should have speeds of at least 100–500 Mbps. That speed allows multiple devices - like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs - to be online without interruptions.

For larger households or people who use a lot of smart home devices, you'll want as much as 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) to keep everything running as it should. Broadband at those speeds will mean everyone in the home has a smooth and fast internet experience, even during peak hours.

If you’ve got slow broadband speeds, the easiest way to improve your broadband speed is to upgrade your broadband package. If your current plan has a low-speed limit, it may not be enough for your needs.

A faster internet plan with higher bandwidth can help increase broadband speeds, especially if your current plan is not suited for heavy usage. Take a look at our superfast fibre broadband deals to find a fibre broadband with high speeds and low latency.  

Or if you’re serious about gaming, our gaming broadband deals will be ideal for those intense and competitive moments in online games, with minimal packet loss, ping and latency to keep your game running smoothly.  

Be sure to take the time to look at all of our broadband deals to compare all the packages we’ve got available in your area.