Virgin Media M350 Fibre Broadband Review
M350 is a mid-range Virgin Media fibre plan that offers an average download speed of 362Mbps and an average upload speed of 36Mbps.
It is 10 times faster than the basic Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) plan in the UK. This plan is suitable for households with multiple devices, 4K streaming, and online gaming.
Virgin Media M350 offers a variety of options – broadband and phone (including weekend calls), broadband only (no phone line), and broadband and TV with optional SIM card. If you choose the Volt bundle, you’ll get O2’s mobile SIM, free speed boosts and some exclusive benefits.
| Plan | Speed | Contract | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M350 | 362Mbps | 18 months | £29.99/month | See Deal |
| M350 + weekend calls + TV |
362Mbps | 18 months | £39.99/month | See Deal |
Speed
Virgin Media provides estimated and minimum guaranteed speeds for the M350 plan. The estimated download speeds range between 368 to 382 Mbps, with a minimum guaranteed download speed of 181 Mbps. Expected upload speeds range from 35 to 37 Mbps.
| Download speed | Upload speed |
|---|---|
| 362Mbps average. 368 – 382 Mbps (estimated speeds) 181 Mbps (Minimum guaranteed speed). |
36Mbps average. 35 – 37 Mbps (expected speeds) |
The ultrafast speeds help you connect 15+ devices for simultaneous ultra HD streaming. You can download a 5GB file in less than 2 minutes.
It also has a decent upload speed of 36Mb/s, allowing users to upload large files faster without any issues. The faster upload speed and lower lag (less than 15ms) make it ideal for gaming and video calls.
M350 Router
The Virgin Media Hub 3 router comes with Wi-Fi 5 technology and Intelligent WiFi. It comes with 802.11ac WiFi standard, Smart Channel Selection, 4 Gigabit ports, 5 antennas and excellent security settings. In addition, the Connect app allows you to manage and optimise your Wi-Fi.
If you experience slow speeds due to Wi-Fi issues, you can upgrade to the Hub 4, which supports Virgin’s latest cable network (DOCSIS 3.1).
WiFi Max
WiFi Max is an optional add-on that guarantees a speed of 20Mbps in every room. It includes Wi-Fi boosters to improve speed and coverage and eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones.
M350 Broadband Options
M350 fibre broadband can be bundled with TV, home phone plans and an O2 SIM card, but opting for broadband only can save you money.
The Virgin TV 360 set-top box and Stream TV provide access to more than 250 channels.
M350 Broadband only
Virgin Media M350 broadband only plan does not provide landline service, you only have internet access. If you don’t need a home phone call for making regular calls, it’s a cheaper option that can help you save money.
M350 Broadband and Phone
M350 broadband and phone bundle includes Weekend Chatter. You can make unlimited weekend calls to the UK landline and mobile numbers of any network for no extra cost.
You can also upgrade to Anytime Chatter which includes unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles within the UK on weekends.
M350 Broadband, Phone and TV
Virgin Media Bigger Bundle combines M350 Broadband and TV in one package. While this option includes Weekend Chatter (free weekend calls), you can also choose a package without landline.
Bigger bundle usually includes the Maxit TV package (190+ TV channels) and Virgin TV 360 set-top box. The package includes BT Sport in HD, while you can add Sky Sports and Sky Cinema plus Netflix for an extra cost.
If you’d prefer a lighter TV package with M350, Virgin Media Big Bundle is a great option , with 100+ TV channels, it’s also cheaper than the Bigger Bundle.
Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, and Netflix can be added as extra features. Volt bundles include an O2 SIM with 10GB of data per month.
M350 Volt
Virgin Media offers Volt bundles which allow you to get O2 Mobile SIM with 10GB of data per month.
Whether this option (Volt) is worth the money or will save you money depends on your specific needs. However, if you find that a mobile plan with broadband is better than the other options available, go for it.
M350 vs M250 and M500
Compared to Virgin M125 (average speed of 132Mbps) and the M250 broadband (average download speed of 264Mbps) plans, Virgin Media 350 fibre optic broadband is a step up in speed.
M350 provides a significant speed boost compared to M250, with 362Mbps download speed versus 264Mbps. The upload speed difference is 36Mbps versus 25Mbps.
When comparing M350 to M500, the download speed jumps to 516Mbps, but the upload speed remains the same. M500 is recommended for very busy households or when M350 speed is not sufficient.
Consider the cost and your requirements when choosing between these plans.
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Reliability
Ofcom’s latest report (May 2022) shows that Virgin Media’s M350 fibre broadband offered average download speeds of up to 375Mbps during peak hours (8 pm-10 pm), well above its advertised speed.
Virgin Media doesn’t apply traffic management rules, so your download speeds won’t slow down during peak hours.
Is Virgin Media M350 any good?
M350 is an excellent ultrafast fibre package for multiple users and working from home. The plan is recommended for UK households that need really fast speeds between 300Mbps – 500Mbps but don’t want to upgrade to faster Virgin M500 broadband (516Mbps) or Virgin Media Gig1 (1130Mbps).
It is competitively priced compared to BT’s full-fibre broadband packages, and it offers an excellent value for money compared to other providers’ mid-range plans. Another advantage is the impressive range of bundling options available.
While prices are competitive, you should check availability and consider alternatives like Hyperoptic and Community Fibre for affordable pricing.
Virgin’s customer service has received mixed reviews from Trustpilot and Ofcom. It has been complained for poor service.