Virgin Media M250 Fibre Broadband Review
Virgin Media M250 Fibre Broadband is a mid-range package offering an average download speed of 264Mbps and an upload speed of 25Mbps. It is ideal for medium to large households that require high-speed connectivity across multiple devices for streaming, gaming, and remote work.
This review covers all essential aspects of the M250 broadband package, including performance, cost, availability, equipment, alternative plans, and overall value.
Overview
Virgin Media M250 is an ultrafast fibre broadband plan suitable for households that require more than basic speeds but don’t need gigabit-level performance. With a downstream average of 264Mbps and broad UK coverage via Virgin’s cable infrastructure, it sits in the middle of Virgin’s broadband range. You can add optional add-ons like Volt and WiFi Max, and is available both as a standalone broadband product or as part of a bundle with TV and mobile services.
Below is a summary of the M250 deal:
- Download Speed: 264Mbps (average)
- Upload Speed: 25Mbps
- Contract Length: 18 months
- Monthly Price: £29.99 (April 2025)
- Setup Cost: Free
- Technology: Cable (DOCSIS 3.1)
- Router: Hub 3 or Hub 4
- WiFi Guarantee: Optional with WiFi Max
- Coverage: Available to ~18 million UK premises (~65%)
- Annual Price Increase: £3.50 every April
- Promotions: £75 bill credit (new customers)
Offer: Free setup. Includes £75 bill credit. Ends 1st May.
Speed and Performance
M250 Fibre Broadband offers average speeds of 264Mbps for downloads and 25Mbps for uploads. Independent tests and Ofcom data confirm that real-world performance slightly exceeds these figures.
- Download Speeds: 264–272Mbps (24-hour average)
- Upload Speeds: 23–25Mbps
- Latency: 13–16ms (average)
Overall, M250 is great for HD and 4K streaming, large file downloads, multiplayer gaming, and remote work tools such as Zoom, Teams, and VPNs. It is also suitable for shared accommodation or family homes with 10+ devices online simultaneously.
Virgin Media M250 runs on coaxial cable network using DOCSIS 3.1 technology. It is not full fibre, but performance is comparable to many FTTP packages due to the short final copper run from cabinet to home.
Virgin plans to upgrade all cable connections to full fibre by 2028.
Installation
Virgin offers two installation options:
- QuickStart: Self-installation using existing Virgin connections, typically active within 1–3 days.
- Engineer Visit: Free for new installations, scheduled within 7–14 days.
QuickStart is the standard option where available, reducing downtime during provider switching or home moves.
Virgin Media M250 broadband installation time varies based on infrastructure and location.
Virgin Media Hub3 and Hub 4
Virgin Media M250 broadband customers get either the Hub 3 or Hub 4 router. Both models come with dual-band Wi-Fi and support for up to 1Gbps wired connections.
While both are suitable for most households, the Hub 4’s advanced MIMO configurations and increased antenna count offer improved wireless coverage and stability, making it more suitable for households with higher bandwidth demands and multiple devices.
For users who need wider coverage or want to guarantee consistent speeds in every room, Virgin also offers an optional WiFi Max service.
Virgin Media Hub 3
- Wi-Fi Specification: Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
- Antennae: 5 internal antennas
- 2.4 GHz Band: 2×2 MIMO
- 5 GHz Band: 3×3 MIMO
- Ethernet Ports: 4 x 1Gbps
- Additional Features: WPS push button, Intelligent WiFi, WiFi Pod compatibility, guest network support, and removable password/QR card
Virgin Media Hub 4
- Wi-Fi Specification: Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
- Antennae: 7 internal antennas
- 2.4 GHz Band: 3×3 MIMO
- 5 GHz Band: 4×4 MIMO
- Ethernet Ports: 4 x 1Gbps
- Additional Features: WPS push button, Intelligent WiFi, WiFi Pod compatibility, guest network support, and removable password/QR card
WiFi Max Guarantee and Mesh Support
WiFi Max is an add-on offered by Virgin Media to improve wireless coverage throughout the home. It is priced at £8 per month or included at no extra cost with Volt bundles. This premium service includes a speed guarantee of at least 30Mbps in every room of the household.
If this guaranteed speed is not achieved in any part of the home, Virgin Media will supply WiFi Pods, which extend wireless coverage by creating a seamless network across rooms. These Pods connect wirelessly to the main router and help eliminate WiFi dead zones.
If the speed guarantee still isn’t met after the recommended number of Pods have been installed, customers are eligible to claim a £100 bill credit under Virgin Media’s WiFi Max Guarantee.
This add-on is especially useful in larger homes, older properties with thick walls, or multi-floor layouts where standard router coverage may not be sufficient. Both the Hub 3 and Hub 4 routers are compatible with WiFi Max and mesh technology.
M250 Volt
Virgin Media M250 is also available as a Volt bundle, which combines broadband with benefits from Virgin Media’s mobile partner, O2. This version of the plM250 Volt includes additional features not found in the standard M250 package and is designed for customers who use both Virgin Media and O2 services or want improved Wi-Fi coverage inside the home.
The M250 Volt package includes the following:
- A free 6GB O2 SIM, delivered separately
- Weekend calls to UK landlines
- Access to WiFi Max, including mesh WiFi Pods
- Double mobile data on eligible O2 plans
- Membership to O2 Priority, offering exclusive deals and early access to events
The M250 Volt bundle costs £3 more per month than the standalone M250 broadband plan. The inclusion of WiFi Max enhances wireless performance throughout the home, while the O2 benefits add value for customers looking to bundle mobile and broadband services. These perks are automatically applied once both services—Virgin broadband and an active O2 pay monthly SIM—are registered at the same address.
Virgin Media M250 vs M125 vs M350
Virgin Media offers a range of broadband packages tailored to different usage levels, and the M250 plan sits in the middle of the line-up. It delivers significantly faster speeds than the entry-level M125, while coming close in price to the higher-tier M350.
Comparing these plans side by side helps determine whether M250 offers the best balance of speed, price, and value, or if another tier is more suitable based on usage and number of connected devices.
M125 vs M250
Feature | M125 | M250 |
---|---|---|
Download Speed | 132Mbps | 264Mbps |
Upload Speed | 20Mbps | 25Mbps |
Monthly Price | £25.99 | £29.99 |
Recommended For | Small households | Medium households |
M250 offers double the speed of M125 for £4 more per month, making it a better fit for users with heavier data requirements.
Virgin Media M250 vs M125: M250 is a practical upgrade for households with more devices or video streaming needs.
M250 vs M350
Feature | M250 | M350 |
---|---|---|
Download Speed | 264Mbps | 362Mbps |
Upload Speed | 25Mbps | 36Mbps |
Monthly Price | £29.99 | £29.99 (Promo) |
Recommended For | 5–10 devices | 10+ devices |
At the same promotional price, M350 provides better performance. However, router model allocation and location may influence final availability.
Virgin Media M250 vs M350: Check if M350 is available at the same price before choosing.
M250 vs Other Broadband Providers
Virgin Media M250 is one of the several mid-tier broadband options available to UK households, but it’s not the only choice. Other providers such as BT, Plusnet, Hyperoptic, and Community Fibre offer packages with comparable or faster speeds—often using full fibre technology that provides higher upload capacity.
Comparing M250 with similar plans helps customers determine whether it offers better value in terms of speed, features, and pricing.
Provider | Speed (Down/Up) | Price |
---|---|---|
Virgin Media M250 | 264 / 25 Mbps | £29.99 |
BT Full Fibre 300 | 300 / 50 Mbps | £30.99 |
Plusnet FF 300 | 300 / 50 Mbps | £30.00 |
Hyperoptic 250 | 250 / 250 Mbps | £29.00 |
Community Fibre | 300 / 300 Mbps | £27.00 |
FTTP providers like Community Fibre and Hyperoptic usually offer symmetrical upload speeds, making them a better choice for users with high upload needs. However, Virgin Media M250 remains a good choice in areas where FTTP isn’t yet available.
Virgin Media broadband speed comparison shows M250 as competitive on download speeds, less so on uploads.
HD Streaming and Gaming
Virgin Media M250 offers enough bandwidth and reliability to meet the demands of a typical UK household. With average download speeds of 264Mbps and upload speeds of 25Mbps, it supports 4K streaming, large file downloads, and HD video conferencing—even with several devices connected simultaneously.
For gaming, M250 delivers reliable performance with average latency around 15ms, enabling smooth multiplayer sessions and voice chat across platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. While the upload speed is lower than symmetrical FTTP services, it remains sufficient for everyday tasks such as cloud backups, video calls, and light content uploads.
M250 is well-suited to households where users regularly stream in high definition, join virtual meetings, or access online learning platforms—without noticeable slowdowns.
Contract
The M250 plan comes with an 18 month contract. From April 2025, all Virgin Media broadband plans include a fixed annual increase of £3.50, applied in April each year.
Customers exiting early will have to pay cancellation fees based on the remaining months. After the contract ends, the price reverts to the standard out-of-contract rate – currently around £60/month.
Availability
Virgin Media’s network reaches approximately 18 million premises, or around 65% of UK households. Coverage is strongest in urban and suburban areas. Properties not yet connected can register interest or await further rollout as part of Virgin’s upgrade programme.
Customer Support and Reliability
Virgin Media M250 offers reliable performance for most households. The network runs with over 99.9% uptime, and speeds usually stay consistent—even during busy evening hours. Most customers don’t experience major slowdowns or outages, especially in areas with strong Virgin Media coverage.
Support is available through live chat, phone, and the Virgin Media Connect app, which helps with checking signal strength, restarting the router, or running speed tests. However, customer service feedback is mixed. Some users report long wait times or difficulty getting billing or technical issues resolved.
Is Virgin Media M250 any good?
VVirgin Media M250 Fibre Broadband delivers a good balance of speed, pricing, and features. It offers reliable internet performance for medium to large households that need consistent speeds across multiple devices.
The package stands out for its fast download speeds, mesh Wi-Fi upgrade options, and wide network coverage. Its main drawbacks are lower upload speeds and mid-contract price increases. Users with upload-heavy requirements may prefer symmetrical FTTP services where available.
Suitable for:
- Households with 5 to 10 connected devices
- HD and 4K streaming
- Casual and multiplayer gaming
- Remote workers needing reliable downloads
Not ideal for:
- Users who need high upload speeds
- Users requiring symmetrical FTTP connectivity
Conclusion
Virgin Media M250 Fibre Broadband is a solid mid-range broadband option, offering strong download speeds and competitive pricing. While it doesn’t provide symmetrical performance, it delivers enough speed and stability for most UK homes. Customers should compare it with M350 or available FTTP plans to determine the best value for their usage and location.