Virgin Media to give free Wi-Fi upgrade to users – what you need to know

Virgin Media has announced that it is upgrading customers to faster Wi-Fi 6 technology free of charge throughout 2026

Virgin Media broadband users could soon enjoy a significant boost to their home Wi-Fi set up. The telecoms provider has updated its blog to confirm that a number of customers will have the opportunity to switch to a more powerful router, completely free of charge.

The upgrade will primarily affect users with older Virgin routers, including the Hub 3 and Hub 4 models, which lack the advanced features of Virgin’s latest device. The newer Hub 5 router comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6 technology, providing faster speeds, improved performances and stronger coverage across the home.

According to Virgin Media the Hub 5 also includes seven internal antennas to ensure a more consistent connection across users’ homes. Virgin Media explained: “The Hub 5 is Virgin Media’s latest router, built with Wi-Fi 6 technology and seven internal antennas to help deliver stronger, more consistent coverage throughout your home.”

The broadband company added that it is gradually rolling out the upgrades to selected customers still using older hubs, including the Hub 3 or Hub 4. “The upgrade is being offered at no extra cost, with thousands of customers set to benefit throughout 2026,” Virgin Media said.

Customers chosen for the upgrade will be contacted directly by Virgin via email in the coming weeks and months. There is no need to take any action until Virgin reaches out, the Express reports.

For those who want to check their eligibility in advance, you can log in to your My Virgin Media on the company’s website.

Should you upgrade your router?

Upgrading your Wi-Fi router can have a noticeable impact on your broadband performance.

According to Virgin Media, customers who receive the Hub 5 will benefit from stronger Wi-Fi coverage throughout more areas of the home.

The Hub 5 is also designed to be future-proof, supporting the latest software updates and capable of handling Virgin’s fastest Gig1 speeds.

With these speeds, downloading larger files or streaming films can take just a few seconds, making it ideal for busy households with multiple users.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest generation of wireless networking technology, offering significant improvements from the previous Wi-Fi 5 standard.

It increases speed, efficiency and network capacity, particularly in crowded environments such as busy homes, offices or public spaces.

Wi-Fi 6 can handle more devices connected at once, delivering smoother performances across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This means faster, more reliable connections that are also more energy-efficient.

Overall, Wi-Fi 6 is built for modern smart homes, where multiple devices are streaming, gaming and working online simultaneously.

Upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 router like the Hub 5 ensures your network can keep up with household demands and provide a seamless internet experience.