Virgin Media Gig1 and Gig2 are the provider’s fastest residential broadband packages. Gig1 offers an average 1,130Mbps download speed, while Gig2 increases this to 2,000Mbps.
Gig1 first launched in Southampton in 2019 and is now available across most of Virgin Media’s coverage. It reaches homes through Virgin Media’s cable network and selected full-fibre connections. Gig2 arrived in 2024 and remains limited to premises connected through the newer XGS-PON full-fibre network.
For most heavy-use households, Gig1 offers the better balance between speed and price. Gig2 becomes more valuable when several users transfer large files at the same time, when upload speed is particularly important or when the home already has multi-gigabit network equipment.
Use our Virgin Media Gig1 review and Virgin Media Gig2 review for a complete assessment of each package.
Gig1 and Gig2 at a glance
| Feature | Gig1 | Gig2 |
|---|---|---|
| Average download speed | 1,130Mbps | 2,000Mbps |
| Standard upload speed | 104Mbps | 200Mbps |
| Symmetrical upload option | Available in eligible full-fibre areas | Available in eligible full-fibre areas |
| Symmetrical add-on price | £6 per month | £6 per month |
| Connection technology | DOCSIS 3.1 cable, RFoG or XGS-PON, depending on the premises | XGS-PON full fibre |
| Router | Hub 5 on cable; Hub 5x on XGS-PON | Hub 5x |
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Fastest Ethernet port | 2.5Gbps on Hub 5; 10Gbps on Hub 5x | 10Gbps |
| Modem Mode | Available on Hub 5; not officially available on Hub 5x | Not officially available |
| Installation | QuickStart or engineer installation | Engineer installation for a new full-fibre connection |
| WiFi Max | Included where eligible | Included where eligible |
| Contract | 24 months | 24 months |
| Availability | Most Virgin Media areas | Selected XGS-PON full-fibre areas |
| Best for | Heavy downloads and larger households | Multi-gigabit use and frequent large uploads |
Gig2 is not simply a faster version of the same cable package. The connection technology, router and home-network requirements differ, and these differences determine whether the additional speed will be useful.
| Plan | Speed | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Gig1 Fibre24 month contract |
1130Mb avg |
£23.99 / month More details |
|
| FTTP. Free Setup. | |||
|
Gig2 Fibre 24 month contract |
2000Mb avg |
£49.99 / month More details |
|
| FTTP. Free Setup. |
Speed and upload capacity
Gig2’s average 2,000Mbps download speed is 870Mbps faster than Gig1. This gives Gig2 approximately 77% more download capacity rather than twice the speed.
Both packages can download large games, software and 4K video files quickly. Gig2 cuts waiting times further, but only services and devices capable of transferring data above 1Gbps can use the full speed.
The standard upload difference is smaller. Gig1 offers an average 104Mbps upload speed, while Gig2 increases this to 200Mbps. Gig2 therefore offers an additional 96Mbps, which is valuable for large cloud backups, video uploads and several users sending files simultaneously.
Virgin Media also offers a £6 monthly upload-speed add-on in eligible full-fibre areas. It increases the upload speed to the same as the download speed. The add-on is available with Gig1 as well as Gig2 when the connection uses Virgin Media’s XGS-PON network. Cable Gig1 customers cannot order it.
Our full-fibre and symmetrical broadband guide compares Virgin Media’s upload options with other UK providers.
Theoretical 100GB upload times
| Connection | Upload speed used | 100GB upload time |
|---|---|---|
| Gig1 standard | 104Mbps | 2 hours, 8 minutes and 12 seconds |
| Gig2 standard | 200Mbps | 1 hour, 6 minutes and 40 seconds |
| Gig1 full-fibre symmetrical | 1,130Mbps | 11 minutes and 48 seconds |
| Gig2 symmetrical | 2,000Mbps | 6 minutes and 40 seconds |
These calculations use the full connection speed. Encryption, network overhead, Wi-Fi conditions and the receiving server can increase the actual transfer time.
The standard Gig2 upload speed is approximately twice as fast as Gig1, but the symmetrical add-on creates the biggest reduction. A content creator uploading 100GB of video could reduce the theoretical waiting time from more than two hours on standard Gig1 to less than seven minutes on symmetrical Gig2.
Performance, latency and reliability
Gig1 customers typically achieve download speeds between 850Mbps and 970Mbps during off-peak hours. Performance can fall to between 600Mbps and 800Mbps during evening congestion.
Most cable Gig1 connections use DOCSIS 3.1. Customers in the same local network area share capacity, so performance can change when local usage increases.
Gig2 speed tests frequently deliver between 1.7Gbps and 1.9Gbps, including during peak hours. Its XGS-PON connection offers considerably more network capacity and avoids the coaxial section used by Virgin Media’s cable service.
Latency on DOCSIS Gig1 connections typically ranges from 14ms to 20ms. XGS-PON Gig2 connections usually record between 6ms and 12ms, with near-zero jitter in most environments. Matched tests can produce Gig2 ping times that are 20% to 40% lower during busy periods.
These figures do not guarantee the same result with every game or online service. Distance to the server, Virgin Media’s routing, Wi-Fi interference and traffic inside the home all affect the final latency.
Gig2 can offer a more consistent connection when several users download and upload large amounts of data together. However, increasing the package speed does not automatically lower gaming ping. XGS-PON technology is the source of the latency advantage rather than the difference between a 1,130Mbps and 2,000Mbps package.
Our low-latency broadband guide explains ping, jitter, packet loss and the parts of a connection that affect response times.
Shared capacity on cable and full fibre
Gig1 reaches many homes through Virgin Media’s hybrid fibre-coaxial network. Fibre carries the connection to a local cabinet or node, while coaxial cable completes the route into the home. DOCSIS 3.1 allows this network to deliver Gig1 speeds without replacing every coaxial connection.
Some older fibre-to-the-premises installations use Radio Frequency over Glass, commonly shortened to RFoG. These connections carry Virgin Media’s DOCSIS service over fibre before converting the signal for the cable router.
Newer Virgin Media full-fibre connections use XGS-PON. Fibre extends into the home and connects directly to the Hub 5x.
XGS-PON does not give every customer a separate connection extending all the way to the core network. Each home has an individual fibre cable leading to a passive splitter, after which several connections share the available network capacity.
The difference is the amount of capacity available. XGS-PON is capable of close to 10Gbps in both directions across each passive optical network. This gives Virgin Media considerably more capacity for Gig2 and symmetrical uploads than its cable network.
Equipment needed beyond 1Gbps
Gig2 can deliver 2Gbps to the Hub, but an ordinary laptop, television or games console will not necessarily receive that speed.
A device connected through a 1Gbps Ethernet port cannot use the full speed of either package. Network overhead also keeps the measured speed below the port’s 1,000Mbps limit.
A single device needs the following equipment to use more than 1Gbps:
- A 2.5GbE, 5GbE or 10GbE network adapter
- A multi-gigabit Ethernet connection
- Suitable Ethernet cabling
- Storage capable of reading or writing data at the required speed
- A download service capable of sending data above 1Gbps
The Hub 5 supplied with cable Gig1 has one 2.5Gbps Ethernet port and three 1Gbps ports. A compatible computer connected to the 2.5Gbps port can use Gig1’s full download speed.
The Hub 5x has one 10Gbps Ethernet port and three 1Gbps ports. The 10Gbps port allows a compatible device or multi-gigabit network switch to use more than 1Gbps.
Both routers use dual-band Wi-Fi 6. The Hub 5x does not offer Wi-Fi 6E’s 6GHz band or Wi-Fi 7 features. A Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 device can connect through backwards compatibility, but it remains limited to the Hub’s Wi-Fi 6 connection.
Wireless performance changes with distance, walls, interference and device capability. Gig2 is therefore more useful as shared bandwidth for several devices unless the home has a properly configured multi-gigabit wired network.
Router and installation differences
Cable Gig1 normally comes with the Hub 5. It uses DOCSIS 3.1, includes Wi-Fi 6 and allows Modem Mode for customers who want to connect their own router or mesh system.
Gig1 delivered through Virgin Media’s XGS-PON full-fibre connection uses the Hub 5x instead. Gig2 also requires the Hub 5x because the router connects directly to the full-fibre network.
Official Modem Mode remains unavailable on the Hub 5x. Customers can connect another router behind it, but this can introduce double NAT and does not offer the same arrangement as the Hub 5’s Modem Mode. This is an important limitation for customers with advanced routers, gaming networks or an existing mesh system.
A new Gig2 connection requires an engineer to install and test the fibre. The fibre connects to the Hub 5x, which combines the full-fibre connection and router functions in one device. Virgin Media does not normally install a separate powered Openreach-style ONT.
An existing Gig1 customer already using XGS-PON and a Hub 5x will not need another router to use Gig2. Virgin Media will confirm during the upgrade whether the change requires an appointment.
Both packages include WiFi Max where eligible. This offers up to three WiFi Pods when required and a minimum 30Mbps download speed in every room or a £100 bill credit. WiFi Max improves coverage inside the home; it does not increase the speed entering the Hub.
Our complete Virgin Media broadband review contains the wider router, WiFi Max, customer service and network assessment.
Prices and contract terms
Prices checked on 7 September 2026.
| Cost | Gig1 | Gig2 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting monthly price | £29.99 | £49.99 |
| Contract | 24 months | 24 months |
| Setup | Free | Free |
| Current post-contract price | £86 per month | £92 per month |
| Full-fibre upload add-on | £6 per month | £6 per month |
| Scheduled annual increase | £4 each April | £4 each April |
Virgin Media uses location-specific discounts, so entering the postcode and selecting the full premises produces the applicable offers. The Virgin Media broadband deals page contains the latest available packages and total-cost information.
At the prices above, Gig2 costs £20 more per month. If that difference remains unchanged throughout the contract, Gig2 adds £480 across 24 months. Taking the symmetrical upload option adds another £144 across the same period.
Current offers have no scheduled price increase during 2026. The monthly charge for the main service increases by £4 on 1 April 2027 and by another £4 on 1 April 2028. The £6 upload add-on is separate from the main service price.
Both post-contract prices are expensive compared with the introductory charges. Set a reminder before the 24-month agreement ends so you can negotiate, change package or switch provider.
Plan choice by household use
| Internet use | Better option | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Several 4K streams | Gig1 | 1,130Mbps gives ample bandwidth for simultaneous streaming |
| Large game downloads | Gig1 | Downloads complete quickly without Gig2’s additional monthly cost |
| Several heavy downloads at once | Gig2 | The extra 870Mbps reduces competition between active devices |
| Online gameplay | Gig1 | Gaming uses little bandwidth; latency matters more than a 2Gbps download speed |
| Home working and video calls | Gig1 | A fully 104Mbps upload speed is sufficient for several video meetings |
| Regular 100GB cloud backups | Gig2 | The 200Mbps standard upload reduces transfer time |
| Daily video or production uploads | Gig2 symmetrical | The 2,000Mbps upload offers the largest time reduction |
| Existing 1Gbps home network | Gig1 | Most equipment cannot use Gig2’s full speed |
| Multi-gigabit wired network | Gig2 | Compatible computers and switches can use more than 1Gbps |
| Own router through Modem Mode | Cable Gig1 | The Hub 5 offers official Modem Mode; the Hub 5x does not |
| Lowest total contract cost | Gig1 | The starting price is £20 less per month |
Gig1 remains the better option for most households choosing between these packages. It already offers more bandwidth than streaming, ordinary home working and online gaming require.
Gig2 is most useful when several heavy users share the connection, when large transfers take place every day or when the home has multi-gigabit equipment. The symmetrical option is particularly valuable for video editors, photographers, software developers and users moving large folders to cloud storage.
Many typical households do not need either package. Virgin Media M500 offers an average 516Mbps download speed and costs less. Read our Virgin Media M500 review before paying for gigabit broadband that your devices may rarely use.
Gig1 or Gig2 verdict
Choose Gig1 if you want very fast downloads, have several people online together or regularly download large games and files. It offers the better balance for most larger households and costs considerably less than Gig2.
Choose Gig2 if your home has multi-gigabit wired equipment, several heavy users transfer files simultaneously or frequent uploads form an important part of your work. Standard Gig2 almost halves Gig1’s 100GB upload time, while the symmetrical option reduces it to minutes.
The XGS-PON connection also offers lower latency and more capacity than Virgin Media’s cable network. However, Gig2 remains a shared residential broadband service rather than a dedicated business connection.
For most customers, the decision is straightforward: start with Gig1 and move to Gig2 only when you can identify a regular activity that will use the additional download or upload capacity.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upgrade from Gig1 to Gig2?
You can upgrade when Gig2 is available at your premises. Cable Gig1 customers must wait until Virgin Media activates XGS-PON full fibre in their area.
Customers already receiving Gig1 through XGS-PON have the correct connection technology and Hub 5x. Virgin Media will confirm whether the package change needs an engineer appointment.
Do I need a new router for Gig2?
Gig2 requires the Hub 5x. A cable Gig1 customer using the Hub 5 will therefore need a replacement router and a full-fibre connection.
An existing full-fibre Gig1 customer already using the Hub 5x has compatible equipment.
Is Gig2 symmetrical?
Standard Gig2 offers an average 2,000Mbps download speed and 200Mbps upload speed. Customers in eligible full-fibre areas can add symmetrical speeds for £6 per month, increasing the upload speed to 2,000Mbps.
Can Gig1 have symmetrical upload speeds?
Yes. Gig1 customers using Virgin Media’s XGS-PON full-fibre network can add an upload speed equal to the download speed for £6 per month.
The option is unavailable on DOCSIS cable and RFoG Gig1 connections.
Can one device receive the full 2Gbps speed?
Yes, but the device needs a network adapter capable of more than 1Gbps and must connect through the Hub 5x’s 10Gbps Ethernet port. A 1Gbps Ethernet connection cannot deliver the full Gig2 speed.
The server sending the file and the device’s storage must also transfer data quickly enough.
Is Gig2 better than Gig1 for gaming?
Gig2 downloads games and updates faster. It does not reduce gaming ping simply because the download speed is higher.
Its XGS-PON connection can offer lower and more consistent latency than cable Gig1, but the game server, network route, Wi-Fi connection and activity elsewhere in the home still affect performance.
Does Gig2 offer better Wi-Fi coverage?
No. Hub 5 and Hub 5x both use dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and have seven antennae. Gig2 increases the internet speed reaching the Hub, but it does not guarantee a wider wireless signal.
Both packages include WiFi Max where eligible, giving access to WiFi Pods and the room-to-room speed guarantee.
Is Gig1 fast enough for a large household?
Yes. Gig1 can manage several 4K streams, game downloads, video calls, smart-home equipment and ordinary cloud use at the same time.
Gig2 becomes useful when several household members repeatedly transfer very large files or need more than 1,130Mbps of combined bandwidth.
Is Virgin Media M500 enough instead?
M500 is enough for many typical and larger households. Its average 516Mbps download speed can manage several 4K streams, online gaming, video calls and numerous connected devices.
Choose Gig1 or Gig2 when faster large-file downloads or additional upload capacity justify the higher contract cost.
Should I wait for Gig2 coverage?
There is little reason to wait if Gig1 already meets your requirements. Gig1 offers much faster downloads than most households need and a fully 104Mbps standard upload speed.
If symmetrical upload speed is essential and Virgin Media full fibre is unavailable, compare Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, YouFibre and other full-fibre providers available at your premises.
