Virgin Media packages and speeds: How good are they?

Virgin Media upload speeds aren't good, unless...

There's no way to hedge or soften this: Virgin Media's upload speeds on its standard cable network are some of the lowest in the UK market relative to the download speeds of the packages they're contained in. Most Openreach providers (such as BT, Sky and so on) offer a much better ratio of upload to download, while some providers even offer symmetrical speeds, where both upload and download are the same

The interesting thing here is that Virgin does offer symmetrical speeds – it's just that you can only get those on its newer XGS-PON network, and only then if you're willing to pay extra for it.

It's a weird situation

Let's say you are indeed living somewhere where you're going to get Virgin's newest network. You'll likely be in a large-ish town at least, probably in a city, and in those locations you're going to find there's competition from altnets, who almost universally offer symmetrical speeds for free.

So while Virgin does deserve credit for creating the option, most people are going to be in a position to choose another provider to whom they won't pay extra. It's baffling honestly, because if it were free, this would be a huge selling point for a lot of customers.

It won't matter to most people

For most people, Virgin Media's lacking in this area simply won't matter. But to some it will. And to those to whom it does, Virgin Media does at least offer it as a paid option if you can get the right Virgin network.

Sources: Virgin Media, All compared providers

Virgin Media will perform well for most WFH roles

Unless you're a draughtsperson uploading 50GB CAD files or something similar, most Virgin Media broadband packages suit working from home just fine.

You'll see a lot of marketing around 'making seamless video calls' and suchlike when any provider is trying to sell you a package, and Virgin Media is no different, but the truth is, even the slowest packages in the country will cope with video calls without a problem. Don't get sucked in by that. It's far more important your connection is stable and reliable than it is that it's especially quick.

Device prioritisation is more important, and Virgin Media doesn't have it

Many of the latest routers now allow device prioritisation. What this does is simple: When everyone else in the house is downloading and streaming while you're working, your work PC is the big dog and eats first. Nothing anyone else is doing in the house will affect your work computer because it has priority over everything.

Sadly though, Virgin Media offers device prioritisation on neither of their currently offered routers. Instead, you get a QoS system that's fully automated. They call it 'Intelligent Wi-Fi', but in our book that's a fail. For certain types of task it really is a lot better to be able to say 'This laptop? It's completely ring-fenced'.

This is why adding your own router can be better

If you're dead set on getting Virgin Media, but are worried you can't properly ring-fence your WFH PC, adding your own router – one that has this feature – will solve your problems.

Nevertheless, we strongly believe all home routers supplied to you by providers should have this feature as standard, and many do. Just not Virgin.

Speed upgrades are the easy bit

If you only want faster broadband, Virgin Media makes that dead easy. You can upgrade while you’re still in contract, and the change will happen instantaneously if you don’t need to swap out your router. The bit to watch is the contract side of things. A speed upgrade doesn’t automatically mean a whole new contract period started again from scratch, but sometimes it does, so make sure you carefully check the terms before agreeing to that upgrade.

Downgrading is where it gets murkier

Dropping to a slower broadband package is not as simple as moving up to a faster one. Virgin Media says downgrades have to be handled over Webchat or by phone, and if you’re still inside your minimum contract period (now two years), there may be fees involved. You also have to give 30 days’ notice. Again, be sure you know what you’re clicking – we always advise calling if you’re downgrading.

Changing your package will change the price

The monthly price you pay isn’t the price you keep after changing things. Virgin Media says it can withdraw or amend pricing if you change part of your package, and discounts can be affected too. Most people joining a broadband provider for the first time aren’t even aware they’re on a discounted rate, and will only find that out at the end when their monthly price skyrockets. Changing your package can sometimes mean you no longer get a discounted rate without signing a brand new contract.

Check what Virgin has actually changed

Don’t assume a package change only does the one thing you asked for. If you upgrade your speed, Virgin Media will also change your monthly price, apply different discount terms, or start a new contract. Our advice is to pay close attention to the confirmation you get afterwards. If there are any hidden nasties you didn’t see coming, this is the one place Virgin Media can’t hide them.