Looking for a new broadband package? Well, Virgin Media has likely got the best deals going this week. Here's the rub: From January 22 through to January 28 (that's Sunday, for those unaware), Virgin are offering huge savings on a range of their best packages that are absolutely perfect for gamers.
But that's still not all. Sign up to any of these crazy deals this week and Virgin will also give you a free reward as a thank you for switching (see here). Take a look at these reward options below:
- SONOS Ray Compact Sound Bar (RRP £220)
- BOSE QuietComfort 45 SE Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones (RRP £189)
- MICROSOFT Xbox Series S - Plus 3 Months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Bundle
- Amazon Gift Card worth £150 – Valid for 5 years across all products on Amazon
Switching broadband can be a real pain. The comparison sites, the sales speak, the never-ending quest for the best speed at the lowest cost. I've been there several times in the past and more often than not I've ended up just sticking with my current provider for the sake of ease. This week though, you don't have to worry about that with this offers from Virgin.
We're talking well over half price on many of their triple package deals, so that's broadband, phone line, and TV packages. Let's take their Bigger Combo Volt package as an example.
This combo (see here) includes M500 Fibre lightning-fast broadband with an average download speed of 516Mbps, a weekend chatter phone plan, which includes free weekend calls to UK landlines, their mega TV package which gives you access to over 190 channels (including top Sky channels), and an O2 SIM card with 10GB of data and unlimited texts and minutes.
Now, this is an 18-month package that would usually set you back £112 a month. If you sign up this week, you can get all of this for just £49 a month for the 18-month period. That means that over the duration of the contract, you'll be saving £1,134. That's an absolutely crazy saving on offer. But, that's not the only deal to check out right now, so ensure you're checking out every Winter Sale offer available from Virgin right now.
Best Virgin Media Broadband Triple Deals
What to Look for When Choosing a Broadband Provider
Higher Download Speed = Improved Bandwidth on More Devices. When evaluating a new broadband provider, prioritizing download speed is essential, particularly in light of substantial updates in video games and the growing prevalence of digital game downloads.
However, speed is not the sole criterion to contemplate. Adequate online gaming performance can be achieved with average download and upload speeds of around 30Mbps, assuming there are no simultaneous attempts to stream content, watch 4K films on Netflix, or download large files.
The optimal broadband service for gamers is one that strikes a careful balance between speed, affordability, reliability, and overall performance. Additional factors, such as latency and traffic management, also warrant consideration in the decision-making process.
Don't Underestimate Upload Speed. Upload speed should not be underestimated, particularly for users intending to stream gameplay on platforms like Twitch or share content online. Awareness of traffic management practices, where providers adjust download or upload speeds for specific tasks at certain times, is crucial. While this practice has become less common in the UK, it remains a relevant aspect to consider.
For Gamers: Aim for the 100Mbps and Above Packages. For gamers seeking an optimal experience, aiming for broadband packages with speeds of 100Mbps and above is recommended. Lag and stuttering during gaming can be mitigated by ensuring that download speeds align with the demands of increasingly powerful games and large updates. Standard fibre packages (11 - 36Mbps) may suffice, but they often lack the necessary consistency for uninterrupted online gaming if plenty of other people in your home are also hogging the Wi-Fi.
In larger homes with numerous electronic devices, prioritizing superfast packages (60 - 150Mbps) or, if eligible, ultrafast plans (up to 1Gbps) is advised (also consider looking into the best Wi-Fi extenders for 2024). Opting for super or ultrafast internet not only provides an enhanced gaming experience but also future-proofs the setup for upcoming gaming innovations in the years ahead.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
