Virgin Media Broadband Plan 2 Broadband

Review of Virgin Media Broadband Plan 2

HERE'S a great little non-cable broadband-only package from Virgin Media.

Before Virgin Media swallowed up NTL and became primarily a cable provider this Virgin Media Unlimited Broadband Plan 2 was one of the Virgin ISP's best packages.

Non-cable

Being non-cable (ie. it comes through the copper wires of your telephone line) means you can get this package even if you live in an area not covered by Virgin's cable network - which is currently just less than half of the UK.

It is a solid and reliable 8Mb package with no download limits (subject to a fair use policy).

Free wireless kit

You'll get a free wireless router as well as Virgin Media's PCguard Pro security suite.

While we do think this Virgin Media Broadband Plan 2 is a good, well-priced package, if you are willing to pay an extra fiver a month you can get this same identical package but with free anytime calls to UK landlines as well as a free wireless modem (and a Virgin Freeview set-top box) for only a few pounds more per month by going with the Virgin Media Unlimited Broadband & Talk Bundle 1.

	Virgin Media Broadband Plan 2 is currently offering FREE wireless router (and add an optional TV kit (set top box for Freeview) for extra £40). Also get £10 off when you sign up online..

A little more detail

Broadband

			Special Note..	Any good?
Package Name:		Plan 2	-
Connection Type:		ADSL	-
Max Speed:		8Mb	-
Usage Limit:		Unlimited	Fair use policy applies
Hardware:		Wireless router	-
Anti-virus Protection:		Yes	Part of PCGuard Total package (which includes PCguard features as well as extra Anti-Spyware, Identify Theft Protection and Parental Control features)
Firewall:		Yes	Part of PCGuard Total package (which includes PCguard features as well as extra Anti-Spyware, Identify Theft Protection and Parental Control features)
E-mail Account:		Yes	Up to 5 email addresses
Webspace Provided:		Yes	10MB of webspace
Domain Included:		No	-
Backup Dialup:		Yes	0845 dial backup
Consoles Supported:		All major consoles supported	-

Payment, Installation and Contract

Payment Method(s):		Direct Debit + Paperless Billing only (other payment methods incur a £5 charge + £1 for paper billing)
Activation Fee:		£15
Installation:		Free
Minimum Contract:		12 months
Line Rental:		BT line rental required
Support:		Free (from Virgin Media phone, otherwise 0845 local rate)

Actual User Ratings

At a Glance

Our Rating
Max Speed	8Mb
Usage Limit	Unlimited
Monthly Price	£17.99
Set Up Cost	£15.00
Min. Contract	12 months

	Bundle details:
	Phone: Not included
	TV: Not included
	Mobile: Not included

	It is best suited for:
	Web users outside of the Virgin Media cable area who still want to enjoy Virgin's low priced, unlimited broadband.

Customer Reviews

Add your own review of Virgin Media broadband...

Remember, the customer reviews below are subjective (and are not the opinions of ChooseISP.co.uk).

John from glasgow writes... 14/05/2008

"Since Virgin have taken over from NTL they've taken a flawfless service and ran it straight in to the ground. I live right beside an exchange so in theory I should be getting fairly close to 4Mb, I'm lucky to get 2 most days. Also lately at any point from 4-12 streaming any type of media results in the connection dropping and sometimes taking 15+ minutes to reconnect. Until they get their act together avoid Virgin."

Martin from London writes... 12/10/2007

"Signed up for Virgin Media XL Broadband 20Mb. I don't even get 1Mb most times, usually lower. The customer service is extremely poor and they are all based in India. There is no email based support, only 25p/min tech number."

Gareth Snow from Worthing writes... 03/10/2007

"We recently had broadband, telephone and also TV installed from Virgin Media and they were excellent. Really good value for money. Also we have Virgin Media's V+ service which is superb!"

S.J. from Manchester writes... 08/09/2007

"When Virgin Media was still Telewest it was great. Now the XL package is £37/month, with fair use policy introduced, the speeds are not consistent and the upload speed is ridiculous for todays isp's. The once free tech help is now 25p/min with 10p connection charge (to India!!). If I had a BT line I would try another broadband provider."

Jason Hines from Epsom writes... 12/08/2007

"So far so very good. I signed up to the VirginMedia 3 for £30 bundle in April and so far have been amazed. I had heard bad stories but took the risk as they offer a moneyback guarantee. Thankfully I never had to use it. I still find it amazing that I get all this for £30. Highly recommended."

Hazel Wykes from Birmingham writes... 11/08/2007

"We thought we'd give Virgin Media a try just to see how it compared but were so dissatified with it, that we changed back to BT. We are now on BT Total Broadband Option 3. Its top class, everything about it is excellent. It beats Virgin Media all round."