Virgin Media Gig1 Broadband Review

Virgin Media Gig1 Broadband – Speed Demon

Let’s cut to the chase: Virgin Media Gig1 Broadband is blazing fast, but is it worth your cash? I’ve dissected its speeds, tested its hardware, and compared it to rivals like BT and Community Fibre. Spoiler: It’s a speed demon with a catch.

Speed Performance: Where Gig1 Shines (and Stumbles)

Virgin’s Gig1 offers 1,130Mbps downloads – enough to download a 4K movie in under 30 seconds. That’s 20% faster than BT’s top plan (900Mbps) and perfect for:

• 4K streaming on 10+ devices
• Large-file uploads/downloads (hello, remote workers!)
• Lag-free gaming (10-20ms latency)

But the 104Mbps upload speed lags behind rivals like Hyperoptic, which offers symmetrical speeds. If you’re backing up massive files daily, this might pinch.

Update: You can now pay £5 extra and get 1 Gbps uploads as well! That’s awesome for streamers and gamers.

Virgin Media Gig1 Broadband Speed Comparison Tool

The Hub 5 Router: Wi-Fi 6 Magic

Virgin’s Hub 5 (included free) is a game-changer:

• Wi-Fi 6: 25% faster speeds vs. older Hub 3
• 1x 2.5Gbps port for wired max-speed connections
• Mesh support: Add pods for large homes (up to 6,000 sq ft)

Compared to BT’s aging Smart Hub 2 (Wi-Fi 5), it’s a clear winner. I clocked 850Mbps via Wi-Fi 15 feet away – rare for ISP-provided routers.

What can you do with 1130Mbps

The Catch: Customer Service Woes

Ofcom data shows Virgin Media has 50% more complaints than the industry average. Common gripes:

• Price hikes: £5-8/month increases mid-contract
• Cancellation nightmares: 30% longer wait times vs. Sky
• Installation delays: 14% of users report issues

If hassle-free support matters, consider Plusnet or BT – but expect slower speeds.

Price Comparison: How Gig1 Stacks Up

Provider	Download Speed	Upload Speed	Price/Month	Contract
Virgin Gig1	1,130Mbps	104Mbps	£41	18 months
BT Full Fibre	900Mbps	110Mbps	£45	24 months
Community Fibre	3,000Mbps	3,000Mbps	£49	24 months

Best value: Gig1 undercuts BT while offering faster downloads. But in London, Community Fibre’s 3Gbps plan (£49) smokes Virgin on speed.

Alternatives to Gig1

1. Three 5G Home Broadband: £22/month, no fixed contract. Speeds vary (50-600Mbps), but great for renters.
2. Hyperoptic 1Gbps: £35/month, symmetrical speeds. Limited coverage but stellar for upload-heavy users.
3. Sky Ultrafast: £44/month. Slower (500Mbps) but bundles Netflix and better customer support.

Verdict: Who Should Buy Virgin Media Gig1?

Get it if:
✅ You want the UK’s most widely available gigabit plan
✅ Need rock-bottom latency for competitive gaming
✅ Can tolerate occasional customer service hiccups

Skip it if:
❌ Upload speeds are critical (Add the 1 Gbps uploads for a fiver)
❌ Price stability matters (Virgin hikes costs annually)
❌ You’re in a Community Fibre area

Final Thoughts

Virgin Media’s Gig1 is the sports car of broadband – exhilarating speed (1,130Mbps!) but watch for potholes (we’re looking at you, customer service ). The Hub 5 router and Wi-Fi 6 support make it a dream for gamers and 4K streamers, though upload speeds feel stuck in the slow lane (104Mbps).

At £41/month, it’s cheaper than BT’s 900Mbps plan, but Community Fibre’s 3Gbps (£49) laps it in areas with coverage. For smaller households, Three’s 5G (£22) offers flexibility, but lacks Gig1’s consistency.

My take: Go Gig1 if you’re a speed junkie with a big household. For upload-heavy work or peace of mind, pay the extra £5 and get 1 Gbps up and down.

Still torn? Compare all gigabit deals here 

FAQ

Does Virgin Media throttle speeds?

No – but peak-time congestion can reduce speeds by 10-15% in dense areas. However, Virgin doesn’t intentionally throttle bandwidth like some competitors. You’ll get close to advertised speeds most of the time, especially on wired connections.

Can I bundle an O2 SIM with Gig1?

Yes! Virgin Media + O2 plans save £5-10/month through their Volt bundle. You can combine Gig1 broadband with mobile contracts for discounted rates. Check available bundles at sign-up.

Is the Hub 5 better than BT’s Smart Hub?

Absolutely. The Hub 5 features Wi-Fi 6 (25% faster than Wi-Fi 5), a 2.5Gbps port for maximum speeds, and mesh support for homes up to 6,000 sq ft. BT’s Smart Hub 2 is outdated by comparison and limits your network potential.

What’s the cheapest way to get Gig1?

Haggle at renewal! Existing customers often get £5-10 discounts by threatening to leave. Call Virgin’s retention team 30 days before renewal. New customers should compare deals – sometimes intro rates beat standard pricing.

How many devices can use Gig1 simultaneously?

Theoretically unlimited, but realistically 15-20 devices running bandwidth-heavy tasks (4K streaming, gaming, uploads). Wi-Fi 6 in the Hub 5 handles congestion better than older routers, but wired connections are more stable for critical tasks.

Will Gig1 work in my area?

Virgin Media’s cable network covers ~60% of UK homes (urban/suburban areas). Check availability at virginmedia.com by entering your postcode. If unavailable, alternatives like BT Full Fibre, Community Fibre, or Hyperoptic may serve your area.

What’s the difference between Gig1 and Gig2?

Gig2 (coming soon) promises 2,200Mbps downloads with symmetrical uploads. Gig1 maxes at 1,130Mbps down / 104Mbps up (or 1,000Mbps up with the £5 add-on). Gig2 is overkill for most users but better for future-proofing.

How stable is Virgin Media compared to fibre?

Virgin’s hybrid fibre-coaxial network is highly stable (99.5% uptime typical), matching full-fibre providers. However, cable networks can suffer congestion during peak hours in densely populated areas. Full fibre (BT, Hyperoptic) has slightly better reliability in congested areas.

Can I get 1Gbps uploads without paying extra?

Not with standard Gig1. You need to add the £5/month upgrade to reach 1,000Mbps uploads. Without it, you’re stuck at 104Mbps – a significant limitation for content creators or cloud workers. Community Fibre offers true symmetrical speeds at similar prices if uploads are critical.

What happens after my contract ends?

Virgin typically increases your price by £5-8/month at renewal (Ofcom-confirmed). You can negotiate, switch providers, or accept the hike. Many customers save money by jumping to competitors annually rather than staying loyal.

Is the installation free?

Yes – Virgin Media includes free installation (usually £99 value). Self-installation is also available if you’re tech-savvy. Delays are common (14% of users report issues), so book installation well in advance.

Do I need a separate modem?

No. The Hub 5 is an all-in-one router/modem combo. You can use your own Wi-Fi router alongside it (bridge mode), but you’ll still need the Hub 5 as your gateway device.

How does Gig1 compare for gaming?

Excellent. 1,130Mbps download speed + 10-20ms latency = lag-free gaming. The Hub 5’s Wi-Fi 6 reduces packet loss compared to older routers. For competitive esports, a wired ethernet connection is still recommended for sub-5ms latency.

What if I can’t reach advertised speeds?

Contact Virgin’s support. Common fixes: restart the Hub 5, check for interference on 2.4GHz, or move closer to the router. If persistent, request a line test – faulty copper lines in your area can cap speeds. Expect 80-95% of advertised speeds as realistic.

Can I port my existing number to Virgin?

Yes. Virgin offers free number porting from other ISPs. The process typically takes 1-2 weeks. Ensure you don’t cancel your old provider until Virgin confirms the transfer is complete.

What about data caps?

None. Virgin Media Gig1 has unlimited downloads/uploads – no fair-use policies or throttling after certain thresholds. Stream, game, and work freely.