What speed should I get from Virgin Media broadband?

Virgin Media offers speeds up to 5Gb on cable/FTTH. Your actual speed depends on your plan, location, and connection type (Cable (DOCSIS 3.1), FTTH fibre). You should expect to get at least 80% of your plan's advertised speed. Run the test above to check.

Why is my Virgin Media broadband slow?

Common reasons for slow Virgin Media broadband include: WiFi interference from walls or other devices, distance from your router, network congestion during peak hours (7-10pm), an outdated router, or too many connected devices. Try connecting via ethernet cable and running the speed test again to rule out WiFi issues.

How do I test my Virgin Media broadband speed?

Click the 'Start Test' button above. For accurate results: connect via ethernet cable if possible, close other apps, and ensure no other devices are streaming or downloading. The test measures download speed, upload speed, and ping on your Virgin Media connection.

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Virgin Media Speed Test

Test your Virgin Media broadband speed in seconds. Free, accurate, no ads.

Virgin Media uses the Virgin Media cable network · Speeds up to 5Gb on cable/FTTH

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About Virgin Media Broadband in Ireland

Virgin Media operates Ireland's largest cable broadband network, covering urban areas with speeds up to 5Gb. Their network is independent of Open Eir.

Network

Virgin Media cable network

Max Speed

up to 5Gb on cable/FTTH

Technology

Cable (DOCSIS 3.1), FTTH fibre

Getting the Most from Your Virgin Media Connection

✓Virgin Media's cable network delivers consistent speeds — if yours are low, try restarting the Hub.
✓The Virgin Media Connect app lets you manage connected devices and optimise WiFi.
✓Virgin's cable network is shared, so speeds may dip during peak evening hours (7-10pm).
✓If you have an older Hub 3, ask about upgrading to the Hub 5 for better WiFi 6 performance.

Is Your Virgin Media Speed Good Enough?

Compare your test result to these recommended speeds for common activities.

Activity	Minimum Speed
Email & web browsing	10 Mbps
HD video streaming (Netflix, Disney+)	25 Mbps
4K streaming & video calls	50 Mbps
Online gaming (low latency)	50+ Mbps
Working from home (multiple users)	100+ Mbps

Not Happy with Your Virgin Media Speed?

Compare all Irish broadband providers to find a faster, cheaper plan for your area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A good broadband speed in Ireland depends on your household needs. For general browsing and HD streaming, 50-100 Mbps is sufficient. For 4K streaming, gaming, and multiple users, 150-500 Mbps is recommended. For heavy users and large households, 500+ Mbps fibre connections are ideal. The average broadband speed in Ireland is around 100 Mbps.

Click the 'Start Test' button above. The test measures your download speed, upload speed, and ping (latency). For the most accurate results, connect via ethernet cable, close other applications, and ensure no other devices are using your connection during the test. Run multiple tests at different times for the most accurate picture.

ISPs advertise 'up to' speeds which represent maximum possible performance. Actual speeds depend on factors like: distance from the exchange (for DSL), network congestion during peak times, WiFi interference from walls and other devices, your router's age and quality, and the number of devices connected. If you're consistently getting less than 80% of your advertised speed, contact your provider.

Ping (latency) measures how quickly your connection responds, in milliseconds. Lower ping is better. Under 20ms is excellent for competitive gaming, 20-50ms is good for video calls and casual gaming, and under 100ms is acceptable for general use. High ping causes lag in video calls, delays in online gaming, and slow-loading websites. Fibre connections typically have the lowest ping.

Try these tips: 1) Move your router to a central location away from walls and metal objects, 2) Use ethernet cables for devices that need stable connections like gaming consoles or work computers, 3) Update your router firmware regularly, 4) Use the 5GHz WiFi band instead of 2.4GHz for faster speeds, 5) Check for background downloads or streaming on other devices, 6) Consider a mesh WiFi system for larger homes, 7) If speeds are consistently poor, consider upgrading to fibre broadband.

Download speed is how fast you can receive data from the internet - important for streaming, browsing, and downloading files. Upload speed is how fast you can send data - important for video calls, uploading photos/videos, cloud backups, and working from home. Most home connections have faster download than upload speeds. If you work from home with lots of video calls, upload speed matters more.

Fibre broadband offers significant advantages: faster speeds (up to 5Gbps vs ~70Mbps for DSL), lower latency for gaming and video calls, more reliable connection, and symmetric upload/download speeds with FTTH (Fibre to the Home). For households with multiple users, 4K streaming, gaming, or remote work, fibre is highly recommended. Prices have dropped significantly and fibre is often the same price as slower DSL connections.

We recommend testing your speed: when you first get a new broadband connection (to verify advertised speeds), if you notice streaming or gaming issues, during different times of day to check for peak-time slowdowns, after changing router settings or position, and monthly as a general check. Keep a record of your tests to identify patterns or degradation over time.