logo
Virgin Media customers told to check if they're entitled to a free upgrade

Virgin Media customers told to check if they're entitled to a free upgrade

Yahoo13-04-2025
Virgin Media has issued an important update to customers, which could see them get a free upgrade.
Customers with old equipment are currently being sent letters from a UK Internet Service Provider (ISP) to share that they could get free upgrades.
Plus, even if you don't receive a letter from the ISP, Virgin will still update your outdated router.
According to the Mirror, when the new box arrives, customers will get a better experience while making sure their Virgin device is safe.
Did you know that today is Safer Internet Day? 🌐 We're working to help parents & guardians keep their kids safe online & protected from scams and fraud 💖 Check out our advice & tips from our Find the Right Words campaign 💡 Find out more 👉 https://t.co/MAEiAcdi6s pic.twitter.com/5qwPvor7p7
— Virgin Media ❤️ (@virginmedia) February 11, 2025
Some of Virgin's older Wi-Fi routers no longer offer key security updates that stop bugs and cyberattacks.
Under a recent update in a law by the UK Government, ISPs are now responsible for offering and updating Wi-Fi devices to make sure they are kept safe.
At the initial announcement of the law update, Julia Lopez, UK Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister said: 'Today marks a new era where consumers can have greater confidence that their smart devices, such as phones and broadband routers, are shielded from cyber threats, and the integrity of personal privacy, data and finances better protected.'
If you receive a letter from Virgin Media, it's key that you accept the delivery of the new box for security reasons.
However, if you do not receive a letter, you can check to see if you're Wi-Fi router is outdated by checking whether it is a Hub 1 or a Hub 2.
You can check whether your Wi-Fi router needs an update via Virgin Media.
Explaining what the law update means for Virgin customers, ISP shares: 'Customers of broadband ISP Virgin Media (O2), specifically those still using some of the provider's oldest routers (i.e. Hub 2 AC, Hub 2 and Hub 1), have recently become the latest group to receive a letter inviting them to upgrade to the HUB 4.0 (ARRIS TG3492LG-VMB) 'at not extra' cost.
Recommended Reading
Virgin Media O2 reveals how to earn cash on unwanted tech
Virgin Media O2 to switch off 3G in April - devices impacted
Virgin Media customers can access over 100 hidden channels
'This is because the old hardware no longer receives security updates.'
Adding: 'The provider has long been running various Hub upgrade programmes, often for different reasons, and this is just a continuation of that approach.
'In this case, the latest upgrade effort reflects a combination of changes that were introduced under both the recent Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act (PSTI) and the Telecoms (Security) Act (TSA).'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How To Tell if Your Internet Provider is Throttling Your Speed
How To Tell if Your Internet Provider is Throttling Your Speed

CNET

time5 hours ago

  • CNET

How To Tell if Your Internet Provider is Throttling Your Speed

Nobody likes dealing with slow internet. It makes streaming frustrating, gaming with friends nearly impossible, and those Zoom meetings you can't skip even harder to get through. If you've already run a speed test to check your upload and download numbers, the next step is to try a few quick fixes that might solve the problem. Sometimes the issue isn't your router or your devices. Your internet service provider can intentionally slow down your connection. While throttling is technically against the rules, it still happens. If you suspect your ISP is limiting your speed, one of the easiest solutions is to use a reliable VPN. But before you sign up, it helps to understand what internet throttling looks like and how to spot the signs that it's happening to you. Don't miss any of CNET's unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome. How can you tell if your ISP is actually throttling your speeds? Before we discuss internet throttling and how to stop it, review this checklist of other factors that may be contributing to your slow speeds. Locating local internet providers Start with these quick fixes: If that doesn't work, consider: If your equipment is already in top shape and your Wi-Fi setup is optimized, the next best solution may be upgrading to a faster speed tier, depending on how many heavy internet users are in the house. But if you've already run down the list of solutions and nothing is working, then the issue might be something your internet service provider is intentionally doing: bandwidth throttling. Wait, isn't internet throttling illegal? While technically considered an illegal practice, your ISP can still find ways to throttle your internet connection. The FCC's ruling on net neutrality was thrown out in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, along with other rules about regulating the internet as a utility. That means, in some states, the practice might still technically be illegal. That said, ISPs can still get around that legal ruling pretty easily. For instance, throttling is technically still allowed if your internet plan has a data cap or your ISP's network is overloaded. Additionally, if your ISP gives notice about slowing your internet speeds, it can legally do so. A proven way to avoid internet throttling is to use a virtual private network. Providers need to see your IP address to slow down your internet and a good VPN shields that identity. This comes with some limitations and downsides, which we'll discuss below. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:52 / Duration 4:25 Loaded : 22.63% 0:52 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 3:33 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Viva Tung, CNET / Getty Images Troubleshoot your slow internet connection So your Wi-Fi is slow, and you think your service provider is throttling your connection. Let's troubleshoot your internet connection first to absolutely rule out other possibilities: Restart your router properly, check that the router is centrally located in your home, reposition its antennas and double-check your network security. If your laggy internet is caused by your router being too weak to reach a particular room, you can spend as little as $15 on a Wi-Fi extender or invest in a high-functioning mesh network, which we recommend if you're trying to optimize coverage to the whole house. If you can get past the steep price tag, you may also invest in a good quality network switch to increase the bandwidth in your home. If you've run through the laundry list and your Wi-Fi is still chugging slowly, move on to the next step. Getty Images/Viva Tung/CNET Find a reliable VPN If you've researched your internet health and are still stumped, the next step is to start researching VPNs. CNET's top pick for the best VPN on the market is ExpressVPN due to its excellent privacy transparency, usability and consistently fast speeds. If your internet provider is actually throttling your internet speeds, a VPN is one of the only ways to get around it. While your ISP can still throttle VPN traffic, the VPN will encrypt that traffic using different protocols. You may have to try out different VPNs to find one that works effectively. There are many reasons to get a VPN and just as many factors to consider when settling for one, like security, price and server locations. Keep in mind that using a VPN will still slightly slow your speeds, but you may experience less congestion and slowdown overall while using one. Compare your speed with the VPN Next, test your internet speed again using a service like or Compare the results with the same test when your VPN is active. Using any VPN will slow your speed considerably, so the speed tests should show a discrepancy, with the VPN-active speed being notably slower than the VPN-inactive speed. But a VPN also hides the IP address that providers use to identify you so if your speed test with the VPN is faster than without the VPN, that may mean your ISP is targeting your IP address for throttling. Fix your internet OK, this is the hard part because knowing where to start could be tricky. Even if you find out your provider is throttling your internet, there may not be much you can do. Many people in the US live in regions with ISP monopolies or duopolies, making finding a better provider difficult. But here are a few hopefully useful suggestions: If you do have options, consider switching to a better provider in your area. Not only will you potentially put speed throttling to rest but you may end up with faster speeds and a better deal. Check out our top picks for ISPs and high-speed ISPs in 2025. Use your VPN to maintain more consistent speeds. A VPN can't solve a bad connection or other reasons behind your slow service but it can mitigate throttling from unscrupulous ISPs. Call your provider and threaten to switch providers if they don't stop throttling your internet. This might seem old-fashioned and doesn't guarantee lasting results but some providers have responded positively to such tactics and you may be able to negotiate your way out of the throttling. What's the bottom line on internet throttling? It's never a complete guarantee that your ISP won't throttle your speeds down the line. If you've exhausted all the ways to improve your speeds and are still not noticing a significant change, we recommend switching to a different ISP available in your area. To learn more, check out our guide on the best internet providers near you. Bandwidth throttling FAQs What is bandwidth throttling and is it legal? If you're noticing a long buffering time when trying to stream your favorite television show, you might be experiencing bandwidth throttling. This happens when your ISP purposely slows down your internet speeds by controlling your bandwidth. The FCC's ruling on net neutrality was thrown out in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently, along with other rules about regulating the internet as a utility. That means that although in some states, the practice might still technically be illegal, it is legal in other states. Plus, ISPs can easily get around that legal ruling. For instance, throttling is technically still allowed if your internet plan has a data cap or your ISP's network is overloaded. Additionally, if your ISP gives prior notice about slowing your internet speeds, they can legally do so. Why do ISPs throttle bandwidth? There's no exact answer to why ISPs limit some people's connections and not others. If a network is congested and you're using a lot of internet bandwidth, your provider might slow down your service to encourage you to pay for more data. Or, if you have a data cap and notice a laggy connection, your ISP might be limiting your service when you're near the end of the cap. DSL, cable and fixed wireless connections are more susceptible to network congestion. If available, we recommend going with a fiber connection. Read our top picks for the best fiber internet providers of 2025. In addition, check out our list of the best providers with no data caps. How can I check if my ISP is throttling my bandwidth? If you've checked your internet speed through an Ethernet connection and your results haven't improved, you might want to check if your provider is to blame. A simple connection speed test, like the one through Ookla or M-Lab, can show if your ISP is providing consistent performance no matter the content you're accessing.

Is Your Internet Moving Slow? Your Internet Provider Might Be Throttling Your Speed
Is Your Internet Moving Slow? Your Internet Provider Might Be Throttling Your Speed

CNET

time2 days ago

  • CNET

Is Your Internet Moving Slow? Your Internet Provider Might Be Throttling Your Speed

Nobody wants to deal with slow internet speeds. It can make it hard to stream, game with friends or attend those zoom meetings you can't miss. If you've already done a speed test to check your upload and download speeds, then the next step is to try some quick fixes that might handle the issue. Throttling by your internet service provider is technically illegal, but it can still happen. TL;DR: If you suspect this is happening to you, get a good VPN. What is internet throttling and what are the signs that you're experiencing it? Don't miss any of CNET's unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome. How can you tell if your ISP is actually throttling your speeds? Before we discuss internet throttling and how to stop it, review this checklist of other factors that may be contributing to your slow speeds. Start with these quick fixes: Locating local internet providers If that doesn't work, consider: If your equipment is already in top shape and your Wi-Fi setup is optimized, the next best solution may be upgrading to a faster speed tier, depending on how many heavy internet users are in the house. But if you've already run down the list of solutions and nothing is working, then the issue might be something your internet service provider is intentionally doing: bandwidth throttling. Wait, isn't internet throttling illegal? While technically considered an illegal practice, your ISP can still find ways to throttle your internet connection. The FCC's ruling on net neutrality was thrown out in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, along with other rules about regulating the internet as a utility. That means, in some states, the practice might still technically be illegal. That said, ISPs can still get around that legal ruling pretty easily. For instance, throttling is technically still allowed if your internet plan has a data cap or your ISP's network is overloaded. Additionally, if your ISP gives notice about slowing your internet speeds, it can legally do so. A proven way to avoid internet throttling is to use a virtual private network. Providers need to see your IP address to slow down your internet and a good VPN shields that identity. This comes with some limitations and downsides, which we'll discuss below. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:02 / Duration 4:25 Loaded : 6.72% 0:02 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 4:23 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Viva Tung, CNET / Getty Images Troubleshoot your slow internet connection So your Wi-Fi is slow, and you think your service provider is throttling your connection. Let's troubleshoot your internet connection first to absolutely rule out other possibilities: Restart your router properly, check that the router is centrally located in your home, reposition its antennas and double-check your network security. If your laggy internet is caused by your router being too weak to reach a particular room, you can spend as little as $15 on a Wi-Fi extender or invest in a high-functioning mesh network, which we recommend if you're trying to optimize coverage to the whole house. If you can get past the steep price tag, you may also invest in a good quality network switch to increase the bandwidth in your home. If you've run through the laundry list and your Wi-Fi is still chugging slowly, move on to the next step. Getty Images/Viva Tung/CNET Find a reliable VPN If you've researched your internet health and are still stumped, the next step is to start researching VPNs. CNET's top pick for the best VPN on the market is ExpressVPN due to its excellent privacy transparency, usability and consistently fast speeds. If your internet provider is actually throttling your internet speeds, a VPN is one of the only ways to get around it. While your ISP can still throttle VPN traffic, the VPN will encrypt that traffic using different protocols. You may have to try out different VPNs to find one that works effectively. There are many reasons to get a VPN and just as many factors to consider when settling for one, like security, price and server locations. Keep in mind that using a VPN will still slightly slow your speeds, but you may experience less congestion and slowdown overall while using one. Compare your speed with the VPN Next, test your internet speed again using a service like or Compare the results with the same test when your VPN is active. Using any VPN will slow your speed considerably, so the speed tests should show a discrepancy, with the VPN-active speed being notably slower than the VPN-inactive speed. But a VPN also hides the IP address that providers use to identify you so if your speed test with the VPN is faster than without the VPN, that may mean your ISP is targeting your IP address for throttling. Fix your internet OK, this is the hard part because knowing where to start could be tricky. Even if you find out your provider is throttling your internet, there may not be much you can do. Many people in the US live in regions with ISP monopolies or duopolies, making finding a better provider difficult. But here are a few hopefully useful suggestions: If you do have options, consider switching to a better provider in your area. Not only will you potentially put speed throttling to rest but you may end up with faster speeds and a better deal. Check out our top picks for ISPs and high-speed ISPs in 2025. Use your VPN to maintain more consistent speeds. A VPN can't solve a bad connection or other reasons behind your slow service but it can mitigate throttling from unscrupulous ISPs. Call your provider and threaten to switch providers if they don't stop throttling your internet. This might seem old-fashioned and doesn't guarantee lasting results but some providers have responded positively to such tactics and you may be able to negotiate your way out of the throttling. What's the bottom line on internet throttling? It's never a complete guarantee that your ISP won't throttle your speeds down the line. If you've exhausted all the ways to improve your speeds and are still not noticing a significant change, we recommend switching to a different ISP available in your area. To learn more, check out our guide on the best internet providers near you. Bandwidth throttling FAQs What is bandwidth throttling and is it legal? If you're noticing a long buffering time when trying to stream your favorite television show, you might be experiencing bandwidth throttling. This happens when your ISP purposely slows down your internet speeds by controlling your bandwidth. The FCC's ruling on net neutrality was thrown out in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently, along with other rules about regulating the internet as a utility. That means that although in some states, the practice might still technically be illegal, it is legal in other states. Plus, ISPs can easily get around that legal ruling. For instance, throttling is technically still allowed if your internet plan has a data cap or your ISP's network is overloaded. Additionally, if your ISP gives prior notice about slowing your internet speeds, they can legally do so. Why do ISPs throttle bandwidth? There's no exact answer to why ISPs limit some people's connections and not others. If a network is congested and you're using a lot of internet bandwidth, your provider might slow down your service to encourage you to pay for more data. Or, if you have a data cap and notice a laggy connection, your ISP might be limiting your service when you're near the end of the cap. DSL, cable and fixed wireless connections are more susceptible to network congestion. If available, we recommend going with a fiber connection. Read our top picks for the best fiber internet providers of 2025. In addition, check out our list of the best providers with no data caps. How can I check if my ISP is throttling my bandwidth? If you've checked your internet speed through an Ethernet connection and your results haven't improved, you might want to check if your provider is to blame. A simple connection speed test, like the one through Ookla or M-Lab, can show if your ISP is providing consistent performance no matter the content you're accessing.

AOL to pull the plug on dial-up internet after more than 30 years
AOL to pull the plug on dial-up internet after more than 30 years

Yahoo

time5 days ago

  • Yahoo

AOL to pull the plug on dial-up internet after more than 30 years

AOL will pull the plug and end its dial-up internet service after more than 30 years. The ISP said it will discontinue dial-up — along with its memorable, high-pitched connecting noise and 'You've got mail' greeting — and 'associated software' on Sept. 30. 'AOL routinely evaluates its products and services and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet,' the company said in statement. 'This service will no longer be available in AOL plans. As a result, on September 30, 2025 this service and the associated software, the AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser, which are optimized for older operating systems and dial-up internet connections, will be discontinued.' Free AOL email accounts or other services will not be affected. Roughly 163,000 households (about 0.1 percent of the nation's household internet subscriptions) had dial-up as of 2023— the most-recent year data available — according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2019 census revealed that 265,331 people solely went online through dial-up. The company said it would provide connectivity options based on location for customers still using the service. America Online launched its dial-up service in 1991. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, America Online had over 25 million subscribers in the U.S. The service was synonymous with the internet and became a mainstay in pop culture in movies like 'You've Got Mail' and TV shows like 'Sex and the City.' Dial-up technology was developed by Usenet in the late 1970s and connects to the internet through landline phone service. The relic of the early internet age has been mostly replaced by high-speed broadband, which can be thousands of times faster than the top dial-up speed of 56 kilobits per second in ideal conditions. America Online, the internet pioneer of the early 1990s known for its free trial discs, changed its name to AOL in 2006. It shut down the popular instant messaging service AIM in 2017. AOL was part of a high-profile merger with Time Warner, which sold the company off in 2009. Verizon bought the company in 2015. The telecom company sold the AOL and Yahoo businesses to private equity firm Apollo Global Management in 2021.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store