The useful comparison is not M500 against every broadband package available. It is M500 against the Virgin plans on either side. Do M250 or M350 already offer enough speed, and is Gig1 too close in price to ignore?
The average 516Mbps download speed draws attention first. However, the final decision often rests on the fully 52Mbps upload speed, the price of M350 and the two April increases within the 24-month contract.
M500 is suitable if
- several people regularly stream in 4K, download large files and work online together
- its total contract cost is clearly lower than Gig1 and a fully 52Mbps upload speed is sufficient
- M350 costs the same as M500 or only slightly less
M500 is unsuitable if
- M250/M350 already meet the household’s broadband needs
- Gig1 has a similar total cost and the household will benefit from its fully 104Mbps upload speed
| Plan | Speed | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| M500 Fibre Broadband Busy households 24-month contract | 516Mbps down 52Mbps up | £21.99/month £25.99 from Apr 2027, £29.99 from Apr 2028 Free setup See deal |
M500 at a glance
| Average download / upload | 516Mbps / 52Mbps |
| Minimum guaranteed download to the hub | Confirmed in the contract; 258Mbps is typical |
| Network | Virgin cable (DOCSIS 3.1) or Virgin/Nexfibre full fibre where available |
| Router | Hub 5 (Wi-Fi 6) on most new orders |
| Contract | 24 months |
| Setup | Free |
| Price | £21.99 per month |
| Switching credit | Up to £300 |
| Optional extras | Volt (O2), WiFi Max, Flex TV, landline |
The Fibre Broadband name does not always mean a full-fibre cable enters the home. Coaxial cable carries the final part of the connection across much of Virgin’s network. At the same average speed, a full-fibre installation mainly changes the connection method and the upload options available. Your order summary confirms the network used at your premises.
The Virgin Media broadband review contains our complete assessment of the provider.
M500 cost over 24 months
Multiplying the introductory monthly price by 24 will not give you the full contract cost. A contract taken now passes through two April price increases.
Add the setup charge shown in the Deal column. Subtract switching credit only when it forms part of the offer you order and you meet the claim requirements.
Enter the introductory price, both increased prices, your service start month, the setup charge and the credit you will receive. The calculator will show the contract total and effective monthly cost.
Contract cost calculator
Virgin rises in April. Change the prices if your checkout shows different figures. Credit only counts if you will actually receive it.
After month 24, staying without a new deal moves the service to a substantially higher out-of-contract price. Arrange another Virgin contract before the minimum term expires or change provider through One Touch Switch.
Renewal prices for existing customers appear separately in My Virgin Media. The prices in the Deal column are for new customers.
Choosing M500 or another Virgin plan
M500 is best suited to a busy home where large downloads regularly happen alongside 4K streaming, gaming and video calls. The average 516Mbps download speed leaves more bandwidth available than M250 when several people use the connection together.
Its fully 52Mbps upload speed is sufficient for multiple work calls and ordinary cloud backups. Continual video uploads or large project transfers can still occupy much of that capacity.
M250 remains the better option when doubling the download speed will not change the household’s everyday use. Its average 264Mbps download speed is sufficient for most homes with two to four people.
M350 loses its price advantage if it costs the same as M500 or only slightly less. In that situation, M500 gives you faster download and upload speeds for little or no additional cost.
Gig1 becomes the better order when its full contract cost is the same as M500 or only slightly higher. It increases the average download speed to 1,130Mbps and doubles the upload speed from 52Mbps to 104Mbps.
Gig2 is a separate 2Gb product.
M500 speeds: Ethernet vs Wi-Fi
Virgin’s average 516Mbps download speed is based on performance to the hub during the evening peak between 8pm and 10pm. It should not be treated as a guaranteed result for every connection.
The minimum guaranteed speed is lower and appears in your contract. A minimum of 258Mbps to the hub is typical for M500. Repeated Ethernet results below your contractual figure, followed by an unsuccessful repair, can give you the right to leave without an early termination charge. Wi-Fi results do not count towards that minimum.
Test the connection in this order:
- Connect a computer directly to the hub using Ethernet.
- Run the test between 8pm and 10pm.
- Test each room over Wi-Fi afterwards.
The Virgin Media Hub 5 uses Wi-Fi 6. A compatible device close to the router can receive the full M500 speed, but distance and masonry walls reduce Wi-Fi performance.
WiFi Max is available as an optional extra, while selected Volt deals include it. Virgin guarantees the minimum room speed stated in the offer or applies a bill credit when that minimum is missed. This does not promise 516Mbps in every room.
Cable-based M500 comes with a fully 52Mbps upload speed. It can manage several video calls and routine backups together. Regular video uploads and large project files place much greater pressure on the connection.
Selected full-fibre Virgin premises have access to a faster-upload option. If it does not appear during the order, the package comes with a fully 52Mbps upload speed.
M500 vs BT, Sky and a local altnet
| M500 | Openreach 500Mbps plans | Altnet 500Mbps–1Gb plans | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download | 516Mbps | Average 500Mbps | Often 500Mbps–1Gb |
| Upload | 52Mbps | Usually faster than 52Mbps | Often equal to the download speed |
| Coverage | Virgin-served premises only | Available where Openreach full fibre reaches the premises | Restricted to the areas reached by each network |
M500 offers good value when it costs close to slower Virgin packages and comparable Openreach plans. Local full-fibre networks deserve closer attention when regular large uploads call for the same speed in both directions.
Leaving, moving or staying
- New orders have a 14-day cooling-off period.
- Once that period ends, Virgin requires 30 days’ notice and charges an early termination fee when the minimum term has not finished.
- One Touch Switch manages most transfers to another broadband provider.
- Virgin can move the service only when its network reaches the new premises. Charges on the existing contract can still apply when Virgin is unavailable, so check before committing to the move.
- The current contract terms include April price increases.
Our Virgin Media review explains the complaint and cancellation procedures.
Volt, WiFi Max and TV
M500 does not require Volt, WiFi Max or a television package.
Volt is relevant to households with an eligible O2 mobile account. Count the mobile charge when comparing the combined cost against broadband on its own.
Flex TV is a rolling add-on. Mega TV includes a wider selection of television services. Compare the complete bundle cost with the broadband-only total before adding TV. Our Virgin Media broadband and TV page lists the package contents.
M500 installation
An existing Virgin cable connection will often allow self-installation. Virgin sends the hub for connection to the coaxial socket already inside the premises.
A new connection or full-fibre installation requires an engineer. The network available at the premises determines whether Virgin uses coaxial cable or full fibre; choosing M500 does not affect this.
Virgin Media M500 FAQs
How much does M500 cost over 24 months?
Enter the monthly prices, setup charge and service start month in the calculator. Deduct switching credit only when it is included with your order and will be paid.
Is M500 or Gig1 better?
Start with the total contract costs. Gig1 is the better plan when it costs the same as M500 or only slightly more, particularly if large downloads and a fully 104Mbps upload speed will be useful. Choose M500 when it is clearly cheaper and a fully 52Mbps upload speed is sufficient.
Should I take M350 instead of M500?
Only when M350 has a worthwhile price advantage. If the two plans cost the same or differ only slightly, M500 gives you faster speeds.
Is 52Mbps upload enough for working from home?
Yes, for work calls, VPN access and document transfers. Several people sending large files simultaneously can use most of the available upload capacity. Compare Gig1 if that reflects your household’s use.
Why is Wi-Fi slower than 516Mbps?
The average 516Mbps download speed and minimum guarantee apply to the connection reaching the hub. Your device, distance from the router, walls and interference affect Wi-Fi results. Test with Ethernet before reporting a connection fault. Our router page explains the hardware limitations.
Which minimum download speed applies to M500?
The personalised minimum shown in your contract applies. A typical M500 order has a minimum guaranteed download speed of 258Mbps to the hub.
Can I leave M500 before the contract ends?
You can cancel during the 14-day cooling-off period. Once it has passed, Virgin requires notice and normally charges for the time remaining on the minimum term. Ask for the final amount in writing. Arrange another deal or switch before month 25 to avoid the out-of-contract price.
M500 deserves comparison with M250 and Gig1 rather than M350 alone. It becomes particularly attractive when M350 is no cheaper. Gig1 takes its place when the price difference is small and the extra download and upload capacity will be used.
More on Virgin Media
- Virgin Media broadband review
- M250 Fibre Broadband — sufficient for most households
- M350 Fibre Broadband — worth considering only with a lower total cost
- Gig1 — the next option for faster uploads
- Hub 5 and WiFi Max
- Virgin broadband and TV
