The battle between BT and Virgin Media represents two different approaches to broadband delivery – Openreach infrastructure versus Virgin’s own cable network. Here’s how they compare.
Speed and Performance
BT delivers speeds from 36Mbps up to 900Mbps through Full Fibre packages. Their standard fibre offerings include 50Mbps (Fibre 1) and 67Mbps (Fibre 2), with Full Fibre starting at 150Mbps.
Virgin Media operates on cable infrastructure, offering speeds from 54Mbps (M125) up to 1.1Gbps (Gig1). Their popular packages include M250 (264Mbps), M350 (362Mbps), and M500 (516Mbps).
Winner: Virgin Media for consistently higher speeds
Pricing
BT starts from £25.99/month for Fibre 1 and £27.99/month for Full Fibre 150. Premium packages reach £64.99/month for Full Fibre 900.
Virgin Media pricing begins at £26.99/month for M350 and £28.99/month for M250. Their Gig1 package costs £36.99/month during promotional periods.
Winner: Virgin Media for speed-to-price ratio
Network Coverage
BT covers approximately 96% of UK premises through Openreach infrastructure, with Full Fibre available to around 15% of properties.
Virgin Media covers roughly 60% of UK premises with their cable network, concentrated in urban and suburban areas. Where available, they typically offer faster speeds than Openreach alternatives.
Winner: BT for broader coverage
Customer Service
Ofcom’s 2025 data shows BT achieving 83% customer satisfaction.
Virgin Media has historically faced customer service challenges, though recent improvements have been noted. They score lower than BT in most satisfaction surveys.
Winner: BT for customer service
Contract Terms
BT typically requires 24-month contracts with £41.99 upfront fees. Early termination fees apply if leaving before contract end.
Virgin Media also uses 24-month contracts but often offers £0 setup fees. Their exit fees can be substantial, up to £45 per remaining month.
Winner: BT for fairer contract terms
Network Reliability
BT benefits from Openreach’s established infrastructure with proven reliability across the UK.
Virgin Media claims 99.91% network reliability but their cable network can be more susceptible to local outages affecting multiple customers simultaneously.
Winner: BT for network stability
Additional Features
BT provides Smart Hub 2 routers, comprehensive TV packages, and extensive business services.
Virgin Media offers Hub 5 routers with advanced features, competitive TV bundles, and often includes perks like vouchers or entertainment subscriptions.
The Verdict
Choose Virgin Media if you’re in their coverage area and want the fastest speeds at competitive prices. Their cable network delivers consistently high performance for demanding users.
Select BT if you prioritise nationwide coverage, reliable customer service, and proven network stability. They’re ideal for users who value consistent service over maximum speed.
Virgin Media wins on pure performance, whilst BT offers better overall reliability and service quality.
