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Virgin Media has quietly upgraded the Wi-Fi router bundled with its television subscriptions. From now onwards, all full-fibre broadband and television bundles with include a Virgin Media Hub 5 Wi-Fi router as standard.
Until recently, some broadband and television bundles from Virgin Media still shipped with its Hub 3 router, which first launched back in late 2016. Hub 3 is equipped with 5 wireless antennas, with support for Wi-Fi 5 technology.
Virgin Media Hub 5, which made its debut six years later than Hub 3, has a smaller design, an extra 2 wireless antennas and support for the Wi-Fi 6 standard. If you're struggling with poor connection in parts of your home — or a congested Wi-Fi network because of the sheer number of gadgets connected to a single router — the additional antennas should help keep everything running smoothly.
Discussing the decision to make its Hub 5 the new standard for TV subscribers, a spokesperson for Virgin Media told GB News: "We are always evolving our products and services to ensure we’re giving our customers the best possible experience, and we can confirm that all new TV and broadband bundle customers will now receive a Stream TV box and a Hub 5 as standard."
Switch to full-fibre broadband and television from Virgin Media
Broadband and television bundles start from £30.99 a month in the latest Virgin Media deals. For that, you'll be connected to 132Mbps full-fibre broadband with the Hub 5 Wi-Fi router and take delivery of a Stream box, which unlocks access to Virgin Media's Flex TV service. Stream over 150 free-to-air channels and connect optional extras, like Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Disney+, Netflix, and more
Virgin Media TV
$34.49
$30.99
The flagship Hub 5 from Virgin Media boasts speedier Wi-Fi 6 technology, but it's still lagging behind the all-singing, all-dancing Wi-Fi 7 router from EE — the first nationwide broadband supplier to offer this perk.
Of course, you can buy a standalone Wi-Fi router and connect it to your existing system to unlock these newer speeds. Amazon-owned brand eero is one the market-leaders and recently announced its Wi-Fi 7 lineup.
The Wi-Fi upgrade isn't the only shake-up for Virgin Media viewers.
As well as the improved Virgin Media Hub 5, the telecom brand is prioritising its Stream box. For those who don't know, Virgin Media launched its Stream set-top box back in April 2022 as a broadband-based solution with live television, on-demand boxsets, and streamers like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video.
Virgin Media's Stream box, which powers its contract-free Flex television service, was announced as an alternative to its TV 360 box... but is now becoming the standard for all new viewers
VIRGIN MEDIA O2 PRESS OFFICE
Virgin Media offered 10% cashback for every streaming service you signed up with the svelte set-top box to incentivise viewers to make Stream their one-stop-shop for all content streaming.
Unlike Sky Stream, which is now available to buy direct from EE and works with all major broadband providers, Stream from Virgin Media is only available to broadband customers on Virgin Media's network.
With flexible 30-day contracts, you can pick and choose between premium content like Sky Cinema and Sky Sports every month — or pause your subscription entirely with just a few weeks' notice.
Virgin Media's Stream hardware is increasingly replacing its TV 360 box, which launched as a competitor to Sky Q — the last satellite dish-powered box from the British broadcaster.
Existing Virgin Media customers can take advantage of a free upgrade scheme to phase-out older equipment and ensure they have access to the latest Wi-Fi technology without any additional cost.
Anyone with a Virgin Media Hub 1, Hub 2, or Hub 2 AC routers are now eligible for a free upgrade to the Hub 4 model.
This initiative comes in response to recent changes in UK legislation regarding telecommunications networks and online safety. Virgin Media is currently sending letters to affected customers, informing them of their eligibility for the free upgrade.
If you own a Virgin Media Hub 3 or older, you're probably eligible to switch to the newer Virgin Media Hub 4 as part of the latest push to ensure broadband subscribers are running up-to-date hardware
VIRGIN MEDIA O2 PRESS OFFICEIt reads: "We're aware you've got one of our oldest Hubs, either a Hub 1, Hub 2 or a Hub 2 AC. Although they still work, they no longer receive security updates. The UK Government has updated the law about telecommunications networks and keeping you safe online, and we need to offer you a free Hub replacement.
"The good news is, our Hub 4 is more secure, faster and offers improved power consumption. There's no need to change your current package or sign a new contract."
Under the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, Internet Service Providers, or ISPs, operating in the UK must act to protect their customers from hackers and cybercriminals.
Manufacturers will be legally required to protect consumers from hackers and cyber criminals from accessing devices with internet or network connectivity — from phones to game consoles and connected fridges — as the UK becomes the first country on the planet to introduce these laws.
Under the new regime, manufacturers will be banned from having weak, easily guessable default passwords like ‘admin’ or ‘12345’ and if there is a common password the user will be prompted to change it on start-up.
Since some of the oldest Virgin Media routers still powering household broadband can no longer receive software updates or bug fixes, these fall foul of the new legislation.
If you haven't heard directly from Virgin Media, but you think you might be running an older piece of equipment, you can check whether your hardware should be switched to something newer by heading to virginmedia.com/hubupgrade today.
