M500 is already fast enough for a busy household, so Gig1 buyers are making a narrower decision. The extra download capacity has obvious appeal, but the fully 104Mbps upload speed and the price difference from M500 matter more.
Equipment also enters the calculation. Gig1 sends more than 1Gb to the hub, but a laptop with Gigabit Ethernet or an ordinary Wi-Fi connection will not display the full average speed. This review explains the equipment limits before comparing Gig1 with the cheaper Virgin plans.
Rating: 4.3 / 5
Gig1 is suitable if
- the household frequently downloads large games and 4K video files
- a fully 104Mbps upload speed will be useful for work, cloud backups or sharing video
- its total contract cost is the same as M500 or only slightly higher
Gig1 is unsuitable if
- M500 already delivers all the bandwidth the household needs
- you expect every phone and laptop to receive 1Gb over Wi-Fi
- Gig2 costs a similar amount and your equipment and internet use can take advantage of 2Gb
| Plan | Speed | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Gig1 Fibre Broadband Gigabit downloads and faster uploads 24-month contract | 1,130Mbps down 104Mbps up | £23.99/month £27.99 from Apr 2027, £31.99 from Apr 2028 Free setup See deal |
Gig1 at a glance
| Average download / upload | 1,130Mbps / 104Mbps |
| Minimum guaranteed download to the hub | Confirmed in the contract; 565Mbps is typical |
| Network | Virgin cable (DOCSIS 3.1) or Virgin/Nexfibre full fibre where available |
| Router | Hub 5 (Wi-Fi 6, 2.5Gb Ethernet) on most new orders |
| Contract | 24 months |
| Setup | See Deal column |
| Price | See Deal column |
| Extra on selected partner deals | Switching credit — confirmed at checkout |
| Optional extras | Volt (O2), WiFi Max, Flex TV, landline |
Gig1 keeps the Fibre Broadband name whether coaxial cable or full fibre completes the connection into the home. Across much of Virgin’s network, the final section still uses coaxial cable. A full-fibre installation at the same average download speed mainly changes the installation method and the upload options available. Your order summary identifies the connection used at your premises.
Virgin’s current plan information uses both 1,130Mbps and 1,136Mbps for Gig1. This review uses the average 1,130Mbps download speed.
Our Virgin Media broadband review contains the complete provider assessment.
Gig1 cost over 24 months
The introductory rate does not apply throughout the minimum term. Two April increases fall within a 24-month contract started now, so the opening monthly price should not be multiplied by 24.
Include the setup charge from the Deal column. Deduct switching credit only when it appears in your chosen offer and you will meet its claim conditions.
Enter all three monthly prices, the service start month, setup charge and confirmed credit in the calculator. It will produce the total contract cost 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.
Month 25 brings a substantially higher out-of-contract price unless you agree to another deal. Contact Virgin before the minimum term ends or move to another provider through One Touch Switch.
My Virgin Media displays separate renewal offers for existing customers. The prices above apply to new customers.
Choosing Gig1 or another Virgin plan
Gig1 is most useful when large downloads are routine rather than occasional. It also doubles the cable upload speed available with M500, increasing it from 52Mbps to 104Mbps. That increase is significant for cloud backups, outgoing video and large work files.
M500 remains sufficient when its total contract cost is clearly lower and a fully 52Mbps upload speed meets your needs. Its average 516Mbps download speed can already manage several 4K streams, video calls and game downloads together.
M350 has little appeal if M500 or Gig1 costs less or only slightly more. Both alternatives offer faster download and upload speeds.
Move up to Gig2 only when the household can use 2Gb and its total price is close to Gig1. The Gig2 service differs between cable and full-fibre areas, so check the details before ordering.
M250 remains sufficient for most homes with two to four people.
Gig1 speeds: Ethernet vs Wi-Fi
The average 1,130Mbps download speed refers to performance reaching the hub during the evening peak between 8pm and 10pm. It is not a promise that every device will record the same figure.
To test above 1Gb, connect compatible equipment through the 2.5Gb Ethernet port on Hub 5. A computer limited to Gigabit Ethernet will usually stop near 940Mbps. That result reflects the Ethernet port’s limit rather than a broadband fault.
Your contract contains a lower minimum guaranteed speed. A figure of 565Mbps to the hub is typical for Gig1. If repeated wired tests stay below the stated minimum and Virgin cannot repair the connection, you can have the right to leave without an early termination charge. Wi-Fi tests do not count towards this minimum.
Use the following test order:
- Connect a computer with suitable Ethernet equipment to the hub’s 2.5Gb port.
- Test the connection between 8pm and 10pm.
- Check the Wi-Fi speed in each room afterwards.
The Virgin Media Hub 5 combines Wi-Fi 6 with a 2.5Gb Ethernet port. A compatible wired device can receive the full average speed. Phones and laptops using Wi-Fi will produce different results according to their hardware, distance from the hub and the walls between rooms.
Masonry walls can reduce the speed significantly. WiFi Max can improve room-to-room coverage and is included with selected Volt deals. Its guarantee applies to the minimum room speed stated in the offer, with bill credit if Virgin fails to deliver it. It does not promise 1Gb in every room.
Cable-based Gig1 comes with a fully 104Mbps upload speed. It can manage several video calls, cloud backups and outgoing video streams more comfortably than M500. Selected full-fibre Virgin premises can order a faster-upload option. If it does not appear during checkout, expect a fully 104Mbps upload speed.
Gig1 compared with similar-speed plans
Gig1, Vodafone Full Fibre 910 and Community Fibre 1Gb offer comparable download performance. Their contract prices, setup charges, rewards and upload speeds separate them. Community Fibre offers an upload speed equal to its download speed.
| Plan | Speed | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media Gig1 24-month contract | 1,130Mbps down 104Mbps up | £23.99/month Free setup See deal |
| Vodafone Full Fibre 910 24-month contract | 910Mbps down 105Mbps up | £26/month Free setup £125 voucher See deal |
| Community Fibre 1Gb 24-month contract | 1,000Mbps down 1,000Mbps up | £20/month Free setup £170 voucher See deal |
Use the checker to find which services reach your premises. If Gig1 and Vodafone have similar total costs, compare their upload speeds and router equipment. Community Fibre is the better option for equal download and upload speeds when its network reaches the building.
Leaving, moving or staying
- A new order comes with a 14-day cooling-off period.
- Cancelling after that period requires 30 days’ notice and an early termination charge when time remains on the minimum term.
- One Touch Switch deals with most transfers to another broadband provider.
- Virgin can move Gig1 only when its network serves the new premises. Charges on the existing contract can still apply when it does not, so check before committing to the move.
- April price increases form part of the current contract terms.
The Virgin Media review explains complaints and cancellation in more detail.
Volt, WiFi Max and TV
Gig1 does not require any of these extras.
Volt is relevant to households with an eligible O2 mobile account. Include the mobile charge when comparing the combined package with broadband alone.
Flex TV is a rolling add-on, while Mega TV includes a wider selection of television services. Check the full bundle cost before adding TV. Our Virgin Media broadband and TV page lists the package contents.
Gig1 installation
Self-installation is often available when an active Virgin cable connection already reaches the premises. The hub connects to the existing coaxial socket.
A new connection or full-fibre installation requires an engineer visit. The network available at the premises determines whether Virgin uses coaxial cable or full fibre; the Gig1 plan name does not alter this.
Virgin Media Gig1 FAQs
How much does Gig1 cost over 24 months?
Use the calculator with the monthly prices, service start month and setup charge from the Deal column. Deduct credit only when it forms part of your order and will be paid.
Will Wi-Fi show 1Gb?
It can do so at close range with compatible Wi-Fi equipment, but you should not expect that speed in every room. A wired test through the 2.5Gb port is the clearest way to check the full connection. Our router page explains the relevant hardware limits.
Is Gig1 or M500 better?
Compare the total contract prices first. Gig1 is the better plan when the difference is small and you will use the average 1,130Mbps download speed or fully 104Mbps upload speed. Choose M500 when it costs clearly less and a fully 52Mbps upload speed is sufficient.
Is Gig1 or Gig2 better?
Choose Gig2 only when you can use 2Gb and its total cost is close to Gig1. Gig2 also differs between cable and full-fibre premises.
Is 104Mbps upload enough for working from home?
Yes, for work calls, backups and most outgoing video. If several people send large files throughout the day, compare a local full-fibre provider offering upload speed equal to the download speed.
Which minimum download speed applies to Gig1?
The personalised figure in your contract applies. A minimum guaranteed download speed of 565Mbps to the hub is typical for Gig1.
Can I leave Gig1 before the contract ends?
You can cancel during the 14-day cooling-off period. After that, Virgin requires notice and normally charges for the remaining minimum term. Ask for the final amount in writing. Agree to another deal or switch before month 25 to avoid the out-of-contract price.
Gig1 is the main alternative to M500 for households that want faster downloads and twice the upload capacity. If your only concern is weak Wi-Fi in distant rooms, improve the Wi-Fi equipment before paying for a faster broadband plan.
More on Virgin Media
- Virgin Media broadband review
- M500 Fibre Broadband — sufficient for most busy households
- Gig2 — 2Gb for homes that can use it
- M250 Fibre Broadband
- Hub 5 and WiFi Max
- Virgin broadband and TV
