Compare Sky versus Virgin Media
Sky and Virgin Media are the two biggest providers of broadband, TV & phone bundles in the UK. Each spends a lot of time and money try to land new subscribers and trying to tempt each others’ customers to switch from their rival’s service to their own. It’s very difficult to know which one is better than the other.
The answer though is not quite so simple. Both Sky and Virgin Media offer great services in terms of TV offerings, fast broadband internet access packages, inclusive phone call deals and technologically advanced set-top boxes and wireless broadband routers.
The answer then to the great Sky versus Virgin Media debate is not “which is better” but “which is better for me?” To help you work out which indeed is the better choice of broadband, TV & phone provider let’s look at each in turn and consider the particular of each.
Sky versus Virgin Media - Broadband
Broadband internet access is increasingly considered to be the fourth utility amongst UK consumers. With each passing year we are all using the internet in increasingly revolutionary ways. We are maintaining more and more aspects of our lives via the online world including shopping, banking, socialising, working – literally all aspects of modern life are moving more and more into the online domain.
When it comes to considering Sky vs. Virgin Media for broadband internet access we find that both offer great services in a wide range of packages, deals and bundles to suit us all, whatever we need from our broadband service.
Sky Broadband
Broadband internet access from Sky offers:
- Up to 20Mb broadband in Sky network areas (up to 8mb in other areas)
- Advertised maximum upload speeds ranging from 448Kb to 1.3Mb
- A range of monthly download allowance; 2GB, 40GB or truly unlimited
- Unlimited broadband not restricted by a fair usage policy
- Sky Broadband Wireless Router (worth £50)
- Inclusive McAfee security software for between 3 and 12 months depending upon which package you subscribe to
Virgin Broadband
Virgin Media’s Broadband service offers:
- Speed options of up to 10Mb, 30Mb, 50Mb and 100Mb depending upon subscription
- Advertised maximum upload speeds of 1Mbps, 2Mbps, 5Mbps and 10Mbps (across different packages)
- Unlimited monthly downloads on all packages (subject to acceptable usage policy)
- One of three wireless routers supplied free-of-charge. Router supplied depends upon package subscribed to
- PCGuard security software included free for all subscribers
- Broadband without land line options available
Sky versus Virgin Media – TV
Sky has been bringing digital TV to the UK longer than any other provider. Virgin Media is catching up though and theirs is a TV service with a lot to offer.
Sky TV
Some of the highlights of the Sky TV service are:
- The widest choice of channels at 300+
- Free Sky+ HD box when you sign up online
- Up to 60 HD channels
- 3D channel
- Sky Anytime on-demand service lets you enjoy hundreds of hours of bonus programmes each month
Virgin TV
- Three TV options: TV Size M+ (75+ channels), TV Size L (115+ channels) & TV Size XL (175+ channels)
- Inclusive HD-ready V set-top box for all subscribers
- Option to upgrade to V+ personal video recorder for a one-off fee
- Option to upgrade to HD content for a one-off fee
- On-demand services including access to pay-per-view events and 3D movies
Sky versus Virgin Media - Phone
Both Sky and Virgin Media offer some great deals on phone calls when you subscribe:
Sky phone
Sky phone offers some great perks:
- Free inclusive evening and weekend land line calls with Talk Freetime
- Fully inclusive calls with Sky Talk Unlimited
- Calls to international numbers cheaper than with BT
- Calls to UK mobiles charged cheaper than with BT
Virgin phone
The perks of Virgin phone are:
- Free anytime land line calls with Virgin Media phone Size XL
- Free evening and weekend land line calls with Virgin Media Phone Size L
- Free weekend land line calls Monday to Friday with Virgin Media phone Size M
Sky Coverage versus Virgin Media Coverage
The availability of these services can vary across the country and may not be available in all types of properties.
Sky coverage:
- Sky is available in almost all areas of the UK
- To subscribe to Sky you must be able to erect a satellite dish on the outside of your property which makes it less suitable for rented accommodation and listed buildings
Virgin Media coverage:
- You do not need a satellite dish to receive virgin media services
- Virgin Media is only available in cabled areas of the UK
