Virgin Media National Broadband

• Great-priced up to 20Mb broadband
• Suitable if you are outside of the Virgin cable area
• Free wireless router when you sign up online
• Unlimited downloads
• Optional set-top Freeview box for £40

Virgin Media broadband review: National Broadband

HERE are some great little non-cable broadband-only package from Virgin Media.

Virgin used to have just one 8Mb National Broadband package. Now, with their re-vamped deals, the cable-challenged can enjoy up to 20Mb and a choice of usage allowances - much better!

Non-cable... and up to 20Mb!

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.

Despite this Virgin Media claim to be able to offer the fastest broadband available on your line, up to a face-aching 20Mbs.

The chances of you actually being able to get a 20Mb connection are slim, however.

If you are outside of the Virgin Media cable area then there's a high chance that the area you live in is rural or otherwise far from the exchange.

The good news, though, is that Virgin Media will estimate the speed that you should be able to receive when you enter your phone number and postcode.

The test numbers from non-llu lines around the country that we entered generally had estimated speeds of 6-8Mb, which is very reasonable (even if it isn't exactly 20Mb!)

Prices Based on Downloads and Home Phone

The three packages available all offer this up-to speed so the price that you actually pay will be based on your usage allowance and whether or not you take Virgin Media home phone with your national broadband.

10GB should be more than enough for light users who primarily use the internet for browsing web pages and sending and receiving e-mail.

If you regularly download information on the other hand, or regularly use streaming services such as youtube and BBC iplayer, we'd recommend the 50GB deal.

For heavier users, particularly gamers or where a lot of users are regularly downloading, there is an unlimited package.

Finally, you can change the price of your broadband package by choosing to take Virgin Media's home phone service.

Since Virgin Media's line rental costs just £11, compared to BT's £11.54, and the price of the broadband is also reduced this may be able to save you some money.

As well as the M phone packages listed here, which offer inclusive weekend calls to UK landlines, you can opt for the L and XL packages.

A Warning

Be aware that, the prices listed here and on Virgin Media's website are estimated only and may be a bit more expensive depending on your area.

This is because Virgin Media is passing on the costs of using the ADSL networks of providers such as BT which charge differently depending on your area.

When we had a look we found that in some areas the prices rose by around £3 a month.

Free wireless kit

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

A little more detail...

Broadband		Special Note...
Package:	ADSL Size: M	-
Connection:	ADSL2+	Telephone line
Max Speed:	Up to 20Mb
Usage Limit:	10 GB
Totally Unlimited:	No
Hardware:	Wireless router	-
Internet Security:	Included free	PCGuard Total package (which includes PCguard features as well as extra Anti-Spyware, Identify Theft Protection and Parental Control features)
Online Gaming:	All major consoles supported