That's because it's not there -- yet. They're useful, but come with some annoying limitations. From there, the setup is nice and simple. Amazon Eero mesh Wi-Fi review: a true rival to the Google Nest Wi-Fi? Virgin Media has been lagging behind the competition, providing just a single router and optional wireless boosters that run over your homes power lines. Virgin Media have provided me with a test unit of their new Intelligent WiFi pods to review. But, I'll be honest, I think Virgin are a bit cheeky to charge extra for these. They are assigned to the router and the account not just able to be swapped around. That's what I'd normally expect to do myself with any other booster. But those features are unavailable. Virgin's Intelligent WiFi Pod is here to wipe Wi-Fi blackspots from existence, Kob began his career at What Hi-Fi?, starting in the dusty stockroom before rising up the ranks to join the editorial and production team as the Buyers Guide editor. The Virgin Intelligent WiFi Pod is a solid option for Virgin Media customers with Hub 3 and Hub 4 routers looking to boost Wi-Fi speeds and stability around the house. To respond on your own website, enter the URL of your response which should contain a link to this post's permalink URL. So run a patch cable down to your shed, plug it into the Pod and you have a WiFi extender. They don't seem to work with other ISPs, and there's no management interface to factory reset them. Experienced in both magazine and , Unbiased and independent advice on what to buy, Virgin Intelligent WiFi Pod price and availability, You should buy the Virgin Intelligent WiFi Pod if. The better it is placed, and the better your broadband deal, the smoother and steadier your internet experience will be. They are paired with the Virgin SuperHub. Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. Priority is a service from O2 that current Virgin Media customers aged 16+ can also use. Terms of guarantee vary by provider. If so the Pod can be replaced at no extra cost. Despite its inelegant shape, in use the Virgin Intelligent WiFi Pod is elegantly simple. . they look like plume pods, wouldnt be surprised if someone has reflashed them to a generic firmware. With support for in-home roaming, devices are pushed to the closest port of Wi-Fi access whether thats the Hub or Pod. Good luck. Enjoy great WiFi coverage thanks to four built-in antennas that extend and maximise your WiFi coverage around your home. Connect the coaxial cable to your new Hub and secure it with a spanner (this will be included when you receive your new Hub). (note: the coaxial cable will need to be unscrewed). Virgin Ultimate Oomph and Gig1 customers can, however, sign up at no extra cost. That means you will need to manually reconnect things which used the old name. For those who arent subscribed to these pricier bundles, youll need to cough up an extra 5 a month for the improvements. Take the smaller one first and plug it into a mains socket, next to the Hub. Virgin Medias mighty Hub brings the magic right into your home. On your phone or tablet, open the Google Home app . Virgin Media WiFi Hub; Intelligent WiFi Technology; 132Mbps 264Mbps average download speed; 20Mbps 25Mbps average upload speed; About your speed. This will return it to the default factory settings, then follow the steps to try pairing again. <>stream This device then transfers those boosted frequencies through an Ethernet cable, back into your home WiFi settings so you can enjoy faster speeds, without buffering issues. The Connection light will start to flash very quickly. Some reading suggests that these pods come pre-configured from Virgin (they configure it to your own SSID's before it's posted out.) Theres some room for confusion between Virgins Intelligent WiFi and its WiFi Plus service. Thankfully, the carrier now offers that capability, as $5 buys you a day's worth of using your handset as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to five devices. So, for example, if you fire it up at 9 a.m. on Monday, you've actually got until midnight on Tuesday -- effectively giving you two days for the price of one. In regards to setting up and finding the best spot for your intelligent WiFi Pod, we suggest the following: Make sure to keep the WiFi Pod out in the open. It's fairly time-consuming process then, but with similar mesh devices costing around 100 to purchase outright, it's reasonable that Virgin only want to supply what's necessary. Pick a category to get started. Pods should be spread evenly around the home, especially in rooms and open spaces where is more common to use Wi-Fi. Theres an Ethernet socket for a hardwired connection, while visual touches are restricted to a red Virgin logo on the top surface and an almost imperceptible LED light. If you spot any other LED colours or notice it didnt blink during set-up, you may have an issue. Founded in 2004, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy. Or, take a look at our installation guide. All of the products on this page are subject to survey, network capacity and a credit check. Powerline networking is great - but I get that it struggles to reach the speeds offered by cable modems. check for an fcc id. If youve invested in a bucketload of smart home gadgets from smart lighting, Alexa or Google Assistant-powered smart speakers, connected audio systems like those from Sonos, or security products, like Nest or Ring Doorbells this update should prove particularly useful. Fastest WiFi guarantee of any major provider If they sourced a decent hub with external antenna - rather than the crappy Arris product they use - their customers would have better WiFi without the need to pay for more gadgets. Welcome to Virgin Medias help and support page. If the connect lights flashing red, and the power lights solide white the pairing has failed. the combo of new Hub features and Wi-Fi Pods provides a step change in . For purposes of this tutorial, let's keep the focus on that phone-based option, as I think it's the most expedient method. #diy #virginmedia #wifiextender #uk Luqman Khan Ltd 124 subscribers Subscribe 42 Share 17K views 5 months ago UNITED KINGDOM There are double Ethernet sockets on the Pod. I generally help as internet is really not great in our street and different networks are often down and hence at times my neighbours often try to use #internet at my place should they need to do something online.Also in one of the upcoming #videos I will explain with how to sync and best use 3 pods in order to all sync with router all at the same time offering you way #better internet strength.#fyp #diy #virgin #media #5g #4g #wificalling #internetofthings #luqmankhan #luqman #stocktonontees #middlesbrough #teesside #teessideuniversity #northyorkshire #british #uk #weneedbetterinternet This pod plugs into a power socket and listens for WiFi signals from the hub. Your WiFi password, network name and other details can be found printed on the underside of the router. Well update this article when we hear about exactly how WiFi Pods compare with the existing Pods available from Plume in the United States. Incidentally, those numbers spell out UPDATE. If you currently have a Hub 3 or older model (including the Superhub 1A, 2A etc.) Once youre all set-up, the Virgin Media WiFi Pods are designed to reduce the impact of neighbouring WiFi networks by automatically changing settings to stop interference. Then scroll down to Manage Mobile Hotspot and tap it. Instead, Virgin should automatically push an update to your phone. New pod arrived and looks exactly the same as . Video guide prepared by Luqman Khanhttps://www.luqman.euHere is with how to self install virgin media pod. If it's pre configured does that mean you cannot change your SSID or password in the future? Virgin will supply customers up to three WiFi Pods in total, but each time the customer needs to setup and check coverage before an additional booster will be sent out. Virgin Fibre Areas only. The Boosters are paired correctly if the connection lights (arrows) and the WiFi light are off. "When I plug the pod in halfway between the garden and the hub" guess they're okay as long as you have sockets in the middle of your lawn? Your response will then appear (possibly after moderation) on this page. You should also note that after your hotspot period has ended, the Personal Hotspot option will disappear from the Cellular menu. 8p/m extra or included with Gig1 or Volt. Here youll find all the help you need for Virgin Media related problems and issues. The wireless and power lights will start to blink. 2. If you move the Pod too far away it will loose connection. To verify click here. Then scroll down to Manage Mobile Hotspot and tap it. Here are the most common and what to look out for: Use power sockets on internal walls, but dont use extension cables. What's more, that 250MB isn't counted against your 2.5GB monthly allotment of high-speed data.) Gig1 Fibre broadband provides you with the speed you need to stream, zoom or game to your hearts delight. Naturally, the speed is limited to whatever the pod can negotiate with the hub. The power light (dots) will stay on. WhatsApp: 07305327112, Press J to jump to the feed. I pay for 500Mbps and I get it. Update or delete your post and re-enter your post's URL again. Press and hold the WPS/Virgin Media button on the Hub until the lights start blinking. Having had the WiFi Pod plugged in for nearly six weeks, the performance is what the Wi-Fi Doctor ordered. Additionally, there's no plug pass-through, so this will take up a socket in your home. Connect the new Hub to the mains power supply and plug it into the wall. These tweaks are designed to improve in-home coverage in hard to reach areas and is particularly beneficial for those in large households with lots of connected devices, Virgin Media claims. Position away from devices that may cause interference i.e. The former is a free update to Hub 3 and 4 routers that automatically sorts out any Wi-Fi kinks. At least 20Mbps download speeds in every room or 100 one-off credit. Our intelligent Boosters: WiFi and Wired, use your home's internal electrical wiring to help connect your devices to the Hub from any room with a working socket. Virgin media pod is an intelligent #wifi extender . Here you'll find all the help you need for Virgin Media related problems and issues. Place them no more than one floor or two rooms away. The 5GHz barely connects and the 2.4GHz is a bit wobbly. 1 Reply More posts you may like r/VirginMedia Join 6 days ago Comes with four gigabit Ethernet ports you can plug in up to four wired devices at a time. Video guide prepared by Luqman Khanhttps://www.luqman.euHere is with how to self install virgin media pod. Theyre coded to your router when you order them from Virgin. If you wanted better Wi-Fi with Virgin in the past, the only option was to stick the Hub into modem mode and upgrade to a mesh system, meaning additional boxes and clutter. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. The Virgin Intelligent WiFi Pod is a solid option for Virgin Media customers with Hub 3 and Hub 4 routers looking to boost Wi-Fi speeds and stability around the house. WiFi Pods wont need to be installed by an engineer. 8p/m extra or included with Gig1 or Volt. and independent advice on what to buy. One of these improvements takes the form of a software upgrade rolling out to its Virgin Media Hub 3 and Hub 4 hardware, while the other boost is a new product, dubbed WiFi Pods, that plug-in throughout your home to increase the signal. After the lights have flashed on, connect the Booster to the Hub, using the Ethernet cable provided. To do so, open the phone dialer, then enter ##873283# and then tap Call. Well, that's the theory. I can I configure this to work in my home with my Hub 4 or is it a case that this will only work in his house? Press the sync button, on the side of the Booster connected to the Hub, for 3 seconds. And the more speed your Hub gets, the more your WiFi can do. From there, the setup is nice and simple. When you click Finish on the final screen your wireless set-up is complete. Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year. Well, that's the theory. But, yeah, if you need WiFi in your attic or shed, they'll do. , Your email address will not be published. Now other devices in the immediate vicinity should be able to connect to your iPhone. For example, Plume boasts that its system continuously learns from your use and performs self optimisations to keep things running smoothly this includes automatically detects the brand and model of your connected devices, ensuring your beloved devices are given capacity to run at full potential. Plume recently launched a new feature, dubbed Sense, that transforms its existing SuperPod hardware into motion sensors to alert you when a potential intruder is moving around the house when all family members are out-and-about. If its not a technical issue you need help with then were here to support you on any account problems you might have from upgrading your services to finding out what packages we can offer you. A couple of devices kept losing connectivity completely. That process can start up again if theres a change in the Wi-Fi environment, or if the Virgin Hub has reset itself. The dual Ethernet means that they can be wired in directly to your cable modem. From setting up new or existing Boosters, to fixing any troubleshooting issues, here is your step-by-step guide. So whether it's technical issues, hub problems or you need support, well help you with our complete set of general help guides and answers like our billing and payments help guides. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Testing speeds with the TamoSoft Throughput and close to the router revealed upload and download speeds in the 90Mbps+ range (average of 74Mbps and 81Mbps respectively). This can be done in a desktop browser or in Safari on your iPhone. Easy to set up,. Now insert the Virgin Broadband Wireless Set-up CD into your computer's CD drive. Virgin suggests a manual re-connect if the doorbell wont re-connect on its own. To activate it again, you'll pretty much need to repeat the entire process (sign into your account, buy the add-on, and so forth). Virgin WiFi Boosters can help tackle WiFi blackspots and are perfect for places where your existing home network won't reach. Receive expert tips on using phones, computers, smart home gear and more. Cheers for your help and apologies if I've got this completely wrong. Be sure to position pods in central locations along the . I had my old hub 3 plus booster pod and 1 v6 box replaced last weekend, after new hub was installed it took 3 days to appear in connect app, my pod would not connect and after a phonecall we were told we needed a new pod due to compatability issues with the old pod and new hub. Basically none. So, how much of a boost does the WiFi Pod bring? For verification see virginmedia.com/fast. (I did.) Step 4: You'll see a confirmation screen noting your start date ("Now") and end date. Upon receiving the parcel, youll only need to plug the node into the mains socket. ), Preview: Virgin Media's Intelligent WiFi Plus Pods. Tap Add Set up device New device. Make sure you havent pressed the WiFi button on the side of the Booster, as this turns the WiFi on and off. 1. M250 Fibre Broadband. The Virgin Intelligent WiFi Pod is a simpler, more integrated option that works with your existing router, building a wireless mesh network. If the program doesn't start automatically, click on the My Computer icon We follow the IPSO Editors code of practice to underpin these standards. If I'm next door to the Hub, and on 5GHz WiFi, I get these speeds: The Power light will come on and the Connection light will flash amber. Learn more. Virgin Media X Plume. I usually split the names so that I always know which network I'm connected to. Reset your Hub to default settings, start it up and running, connect your pod and leave until it's not pulsating the white light. All going well, for the majority of the WiFi Pods lifespan you wont see the light in action. As part of the Plus service, you get a WiFi Pod for an additional 5/month. If you've requested an upgrade, you'll receive a new Virgin Media WiFi Hub in the post. Some reading suggests that these pods come pre-configured from Virgin (they configure it to your own SSID's before it's posted out.) I havent encountered any issues, but then my speakers arent in close proximity to the Pod either. Simply plug it in, turn it on and let it do its #job In the next video, I will explain with what you can do to create a chain of #wifiextender in order to build a #cloud #wifi that your neighbours can benefit from too, if of course you want to help. It can be moved between rooms at a later date. Up to 3 WiFi Pods . If youre using an extension youll want one with at least three sockets. Virgin says that managing your new mesh network will be handled using the existing Connect smartphone app. Check the Ethernet cable is securely connected from the main Booster and the Hub. 1 0 obj That makes no sense to me as previously I'd have to set up routers to act as wifi boosters. When settled, move to desired location. Pretty good! If I plug an Ethernet cable directly into the SuperHub, my laptop gets these speeds. Now switch it on. <>/ColorSpace <>/Font <>/ProcSet [/PDF /Text /ImageC /ImageI ]/Properties <>/MC1 <>>>/ExtGState <>>>/Type /Page >>endobj Any insight? Powered by unlimited lightning-fast broadband, our Hub serves up the WiFi strength you need to scroll, meme and stream. My friend had 2 pods at home but has since removed one as he needed the socket. All rights reserved. Up to 3 WiFi Pods if needed. Disconnect your old Hub (note: the coaxial cable will need to be unscrewed). If it doesn't request another pod as you can get up to 3. Easy to set up, coverage has been better, wireless range extended and there have been fewer connection drops. Some of my gadgets get confused when there are multiple networks with the same name. Step 2: Once you're signed in, tap Settings & Preferences. The pulsing blue light indicates that it's ready to be set up in the Google Home app . Founded in 2004, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased Otherwise set-up is a case of plugging the Pod in and waiting itll automatically see your router settings and network conditions, joining and extending your wireless network wirelessly, creating a mesh network. From there, youll be good to go! UKs fastest widely available broadband If you take a bundle with both Virgin Media and O2, youll have separate contracts and bills one for Virgin Media, and another for O2. According to VM it can take up to 24h for the pod to settle. Use a pen tip to press the rest button for 7 seconds on all the Boosters in your home. And, because the networks insists on putting all the SSIDs on the same frequency - I've noticed an overall slowdown in my WiFi speeds. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. With the WiFi Pod plugged in, speeds jump to an average of 69Mbps upload and 75Mbps download. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. You can now unplug the larger Booster and move it to where you need in your home. Virgin Media Gig1 (average download speed 1130Mbps) vs fastest widely available average download speeds of UK ISPs. More info. Port 53 is open on the device - but doesn't seem to respond to anything. If you can get / afford multiple pods, they should form a mesh network to create a higher throughput backhaul. Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. This light will also flash quickly. youre eligible for a Hub upgrade if you order or upgrade to one of our Gig1 Fibre broadband packages. WiFi Pod Compatability. Other software improvements rolling out to Hub 3 and Hub 4 owners include: Virgin Media has dubbed its new software and WiFi Pod bundle Intelligent WiFi Plus. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Comparing WiFi guarantees of major UK ISPs. You can also tap Wi-Fi Password if you want to modify the random one created by the service. The Boosters are successfully paired when the lights stop flashing. Tap to select that option, and then tap Update. When I plug the pod in halfway between the garden and the hub, this is the speed I get at the bottom of my garden: Finally, plugged into the pod's Ethernet: As a basic WiFi extender, they work. Plug the larger Booster into a mains socket, in the same room, and switch it on. That's what I'd normally expect to do myself with any other booster. So, the big test! For those who live in . Step 2: Once you're signed in, tap Settings & Preferences. You can check our list of the best Wi-Fi extenders for other options in boosting your home Wi-Fi. Both of these boosts, designed to improve speeds to all devices in your home, will be available free to some customers while others will need to cough-up 60 a year for the privilege. At least 20Mbps download speeds in every room or 100 one-off credit. Plus, if you ever need us, were on live chat from 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week. Nope. Is adding yet another broadcast to the mix such a great idea? A WiFi router enables you to connect wirelessly to the internet from anywhere in your home on any internet-enabled device. To try again: It is a Mesh system. Take control of your WiFi with the Virgin Media Connect app - YouTube 0:00 / 2:02 Take control of your WiFi with the Virgin Media Connect app Virgin Media 26.4K subscribers Subscribe 10K. I'm also not sold on the mesh concept. In order for plume pods to work effectively, the SSID cant be split. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Press and hold the WPS/Virgin Media button on the Hub until the lights start blinking. Note: Make sure you plug the Booster directly into a mains socket, not an extention lead, power strip or surge protector. On the existing Booster, thats already connected to the Hub, hold the Sync button on the side for 3 seconds. Virgin Media is home to the UKs fastest widely available broadband. Once paired, the Connection lights will go out on both Boosters. Whereas before my top speed was over 500Mbps on WiFi, it has now dropped to about 480Mbps. Further exclusions & legal stuff apply. Virgin Media is taking a dual-pronged approach to eliminating dead zones from your home, Virgin Media is giving away an amazing Google freebie to all customers, UK broadband boost: finally, some good news about your internet speeds, The new bundle, dubbed Intelligent WiFi Plus, is free to some customers and 5 a month for others, BT Whole Home Wi-Fi review - Boosting your broadband is now cheaper, Nest Wifi review: Fixes your broadband, saves you buying a Google Home. Here, Virgin uses dual-band wireless technology (speeds not disclosed), rather than a tri-band design, such as with the Netgear Orbi RBK50, where one wireless channel is dedicated for communication between satellites. Switch to Virgin Media and Upgrade your existing connection with one of our broadband packages. Its packed with WiFi 6 the latest generation of WiFi technology so more devices than ever can be used at the same time. Sign in to My Virgin Media to check your existing package and upgrade your service today. Nothing too loud, but you probably don't want to place it near where you sit. However, if you have Ethernet in your home, you can connect the pods to the Ethernet jacks in the home and that backhaul traffic will travel over the Ethernet cable. (Optional) Connect one of your Plume pods to a LAN port on your modem-router combo box via the included Ethernet cable. Virgin says the best area for placement is a) out in the open and b) around halfway between the router and the blackspot area, though obviously theres room for adjustment depending on the location of mains sockets. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Step 3: There's only one option here, and it's $5/250MB Daily Mobile Hotspot. Virgin media pod is an intelligent #wifi extender that helps #internet reach black spots within your #residential and #commercial property.It is super easy to install. In practice, tri-band systems are much faster. Virgin Media have provided me with a test unit of their new Intelligent WiFi pods to review. TV 360, home phone, Volt benefits and WiFi Guarantee not currently available in 2022/23 network expansion areas. Available with M50 broadband or faster. The apps available to everyone with a Hub 3, 4 or 5. (Turns out there's already a bookmark in there called My Account.) Our Hub 3 is packed with fast and reliable WiFi for great coverage around the home. then google it, you'll probably find that it is the same thing. This means your laptop will always be connected to the node with the strongest signal without you even realising anything as changed. Your email address will not be published. (And your first time is effectively free, as Virgin is offering a $5 account credit between now and July 16.) I've been mostly satisfied with Virgin Mobile service on my iPhone 5S , especially the $30-per-month price tag for nearly unlimited everything. Reduce connection problems on multiple devices. New live support hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am - 6 pm GMT. Step 5: Tap Settings > Cellular and you should see a Personal Hotspot option. Youll know when the copying process is done as the wireless light on the larger Booster will stop blinking and go off. If you don't see the Personal Hotspot option in the Cellular menu, you may need to manually update your iPhone's carrier settings. For me, stability has improved in weaker areas, coverage is better and there have been fewer connection issues. You may find that some equipment roams onto the 2.4GHz network because it is marginally stronger and never connects to the faster 5GHz network. Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. They're also meant to come with ad-blocking and speed-testing. No setup fee is available on all bundles, broadband & phone, and broadband only packages until 2nd April 2023. My maximum speed has dropped, but that's a fair sacrifice for vastly improved speeds elsewhere. Yes. Some general googling and the FAQ here hasn't explicitly answered my question so here we go. WiFi guarantee included at no extra cost and up to 3 WiFi pods if needed, . The Boosters will then start copying the Hub's details. You can now unplug the additional Booster and move it to where you need in your home. The video guide also displays instructions that come along. Supercharged. Dual 100/1000Base-T Ethernet with autosense WAN or LAN configuration. Scanning Virgins Troubleshooting section and there can be issues with Ring doorbells, too. Virgin WiFi Pods | ASMR | Unboxing & Re-Boxing - YouTube Enjoy the sounds and visuals of ASMR unboxing of the Virgin Media WiFi Pods. Similarly, I couldn't find a way to access the BLE functionality. So whether it's technical issues, hub problems or you need support, we'll help you with our complete set of general help guides and answers - like our billing and payments help guides. Meet the Hub 5, ready to serve up Gig1 Fibre Broadband, our fastest most reliable WiFi yet. (Or subscribe to this Atom Feed. We expect you to get full satisfaction from our Mobile Deals and Broadband, TV, Landline Packages, and that is why weve worked hard to put together a learning and help space where all of your problems can be resolved quickly and efficiently - today.