), Preview: Virgin Media's Intelligent WiFi Plus Pods. Once paired, the Connection lights will go out on both Boosters. 2. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? Tap it, then toggle it to on. Connect the coaxial cable Virgin Fibre Areas only. You won't be able to connect Powerline adaptors, using HomePlug technology, to your Booster network. I ran each test a few times at the same time of day. Leveraging the US companys technology, your in-home WiFi coverage is extended through the creation of a cloud-controlled mesh network which constantly adapts and evolves, Virgin Media says. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. You should also note that after your hotspot period has ended, the Personal Hotspot option will disappear from the Cellular menu. But there's one feature I've missed: mobile hotspot. 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. Comparing WiFi guarantees of major UK ISPs. I havent encountered any issues, but then my speakers arent in close proximity to the Pod either. If you have a big home, put a pod in every room and you'll have fast WiFi broadcast everywhere. 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. Read ~6,781 times. Update: Want to get a little more bang for your buck? Follow the on-screen set-up instructions. It comes at a cost of 5/month, and in the short-term thats easy to accept; over the course of a few years it might sound a little too steep. Then follow the steps to set them up again in our installation guide. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays. Provide ventilation as the Boosters can get very warm while in use. 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. and independent advice on what to buy. Confusing info about that? Update or delete your post and re-enter your post's URL again. What's more, that 250MB isn't counted against your 2.5GB monthly allotment of high-speed data.) Simply plug it in, turn it on and let it #sync or integrate with the router. Compare this to the speeds in the blackspot sans the WiFi Pod and theyd fall to average upload and download figures of 47Mbps and 58Mbps. They'll stick to a stronger 2.4GHz network rather than the faster 5GHz one. If you have a big home, put a pod in every room and you'll have fast WiFi broadcast everywhere. I usually split the names so that I always know which network I'm connected to. Jeff Dodds, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media, said: Intelligent WiFi Plus is our most advanced and impressive WiFi service to date that will help remove broadband blackspots and bring faster and more reliable speeds throughout the home. Intelligent WiFi reduces WiFi traffic by automatically finding quiet channels to use. Would changing my Wifi creds to match his fool the Pod into thinking its still in his house? Virgin Ultimate Oomph and Gig1 customers can, however, sign up at no extra cost. The 5GHz barely connects and the 2.4GHz is a bit wobbly. Here youll find all the help you need for Virgin Media related problems and issues. Which means they log into your SuperHub, and copy your SSID and password to the pod. Press and hold the WPS/Virgin Media button on the Hub until the lights start blinking. With the WiFi Pod plugged in, speeds jump to an average of 69Mbps upload and 75Mbps download. Virgin says that managing your new mesh network will be handled using the existing Connect smartphone app. <>stream If you can get / afford multiple pods, they should form a mesh network to create a higher throughput backhaul. If youre using an extension youll want one with at least three sockets. endstream endobj 4 0 obj Saturday, 4th March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. TV 360, home phone, Volt benefits and WiFi Guarantee not currently available in 2022/23 network expansion areas. Disconnect your old Hub (note: the coaxial cable will need to be unscrewed). Make sure you havent pressed the WiFi button on the side of the Booster, as this turns the WiFi on and off. Having had the WiFi Pod plugged in for nearly six weeks, the performance is what the Wi-Fi Doctor ordered. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. O2 sim. Naturally, the speed is limited to whatever the pod can negotiate with the hub. While Wi-Fi 6 devices are still in the minority, the technology is more future-proofed and adds even faster speeds. The Boosters are successfully paired when the lights stop flashing. Your email address will not be published. I'm also not sold on the mesh concept. Hope you didn't use the password for anything sensitive! Its packed with WiFi 6 the latest generation of WiFi technology so more devices than ever can be used at the same time. Nothing too loud, but you probably don't want to place it near where you sit. Similarly, I couldn't find a way to access the BLE functionality. Here you'll find all the help you need for Virgin Media related problems and issues. 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. If the program doesn't start automatically, click on the My Computer icon A WiFi router enables you to connect wirelessly to the internet from anywhere in your home on any internet-enabled device. If youre experiencing poor WiFi coverage in your house, or office, then a WiFi Booster will help: Port 53 is open on the device - but doesn't seem to respond to anything. So second hand ones dont work Im afraid. That means you will need to manually reconnect things which used the old name. The Boosters will then start copying the Hub's details. Place them no more than one floor or two rooms away. Virgin Media is home to the UKs fastest widely available broadband. 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. Whether our customers are working, streaming, browsing, playing or keeping connected online, the combo of new Hub features and WiFi Pods provides a step-change in connectivity that wont let you down.. New pod arrived and looks exactly the same as the old one and since it arrived on Thursday its been plugged in but still a slow flashing white light and the + button in the app to add a pod says I do nit have any to install. any ideas, the hub 3 and old pod worked great so not sure why the new hub/pod won't connect. For many, this is an easier (and cheaper) upgrade compared to buying an entirely new mesh system. Pick a category to get started. You can unsubscribe at any time. Yeahit doesnt. If you find its blinking consistently and for longer than usual as happened to me on one occasion Id suggest rebooting the main Hub to get them back in sync. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Virgin media pod is an intelligent #wifi extender . New live support hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am - 6 pm GMT. Go to our WiFi Pod installation steps. (Turns out there's already a bookmark in there called My Account.) Wi-Fi connections would become noticeably weaker here. M250 Fibre Broadband. Some general googling and the FAQ here hasn't explicitly answered my question so here we go. You can now unplug the additional Booster and move it to where you need in your home. The Boosters are paired correctly if the connection lights (arrows) and the WiFi light are off. 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. But those features are unavailable. For those who arent subscribed to these pricier bundles, youll need to cough up an extra 5 a month for the improvements. Your response will then appear (possibly after moderation) on this page. With support for in-home roaming, devices are pushed to the closest port of Wi-Fi access whether thats the Hub or Pod. 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. To verify click here. Terms of guarantee vary by provider. Step 2: Once you're signed in, tap Settings & Preferences. Welcome to Virgin Medias help and support page. 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. 1 Reply More posts you may like r/VirginMedia Join 6 days ago 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 your phone or laptop will seamlessly connect to one network without you having to fiddle around with anything. The pods virgin uses seem to be rebranded plume pods: https://www.plume.com/homepass/shop They're known as wifi mesh systems - most of this sub seems to swear by the tp link deco m5: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071241G3R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_6HDVMMHTW57F2PNBATAQ badservice21 2 yr. ago Reduce connection problems on multiple devices. Yes. Press and hold the WPS button on the larger Booster for about 10 seconds and release it. It then rebroadcasts them - using the same name and password. We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. It's also quite large - and might block the plug next to it. Easy to set up, coverage has been better, wireless range extended and there have been fewer connection drops. 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. 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. They connect back through the WiFi; there's no PowerLine functionality. I pay for 500Mbps and I get it. Hard reset router for at least 30 seconds when it loads back up give the pods 24 hours and see if that improves. Its important to leave the Boosters alone during this time, so that everything works properly. After the lights have flashed on, connect the Booster to the Hub, using the Ethernet cable provided. Learn more. Typically, SuperPods should be placed about 9-12 meters apart through walls but can be placed up to 18-24 meters apart for large open spaces (like a large living room). 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. 8p/m extra or included with Gig1 or Volt. Virgin Media has announced two upgrades designed to boost Wi-Fi signal throughout your home for those struggling with dead zones not reached by their router. 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. You could also connect the Pod via ethernet cable as a backhaul, and this will negate the need for the Pod to be close to the Hub. Virgin Media Gig1 (average download speed 1130Mbps) vs fastest widely available average download speeds of UK ISPs. But the basic tech works. Virgin suggests a manual re-connect if the doorbell wont re-connect on its own. "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? Be sure to position pods in central locations along the . The WiFi Pods are part of Virgins rollout of its Intelligent WiFi Plus service, available to Virgin customers with Hub 3 and Hub 4 routers. For those who live in high-rise flats, this should be particularly important. Intelligent WiFi chooses the least busy connection for your devices and automatically sorts WiFi issues for you. Virgin Media customers suffering from less than average speeds around the home can look forward to boosting it with the WiFi Pod. According to VM it can take up to 24h for the pod to settle. Instead, Virgin Media will send the hardware in the mail. Now insert the Virgin Broadband Wireless Set-up CD into your computer's CD drive. youre eligible for a Hub upgrade if you order or upgrade to one of our Gig1 Fibre broadband packages. Yes. Virgin Media X Plume. It will be available now to all Ultimate Oomph and Gig1 customers at no extra cost. How to setup or install virgin media pod in your home or office? chargers. Is this booster on some kind of subscription? Press and hold the WPS button on the larger Booster for about 10 seconds and release it. Contact Us. Virgin Media's Boosters use G.Hn technology and will only connect with other kit using G.Hn. Here's how to access it: Step 1: Sign into your Virgin Mobile account. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Take the smaller one first and plug it into a mains socket, next to the Hub. Well update this article when we hear about exactly how WiFi Pods compare with the existing Pods available from Plume in the United States. View Details & Updates. And the more speed your Hub gets, the more your WiFi can do. No setup fee is available on all bundles, broadband & phone, and broadband only packages until 2nd April 2023. So run a patch cable down to your shed, plug it into the Pod and you have a WiFi extender. You can also tap Wi-Fi Password if you want to modify the random one created by the service. Fastest WiFi guarantee of any major provider Comparing WiFi guarantees of major UK ISPs. (note: the coaxial cable will need to be unscrewed). Some reading suggests that these pods come pre-configured from Virgin (they configure it to your own SSID's before it's posted out.) 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. Virgin Media services are only available in eligible Virgin Media network areas. WiFi Pods wont need to be installed by an engineer. But, of course, if the pod doesn't have a great connection back to the hub, it won't be able to give you a decent connection. Your WiFi password, network name and other details can be found printed on the underside of the router. My maximum speed has dropped, but that's a fair sacrifice for vastly improved speeds elsewhere. You can now unplug the larger Booster and move it to where you need in your home. In practice, tri-band systems are much faster. Some of my IoT kit gets really confused by this. You can use the Virgin Media Connect app to scan your home and smooth out any snags. More info. 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. WiFi guarantee included at no extra cost and up to 3 WiFi pods if needed, . (Learn More), Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive brand new posts by email. Indeed, if you venture into Settings, you'll notice a complete absence of the Personal Hotspot option. If you can set up using a Self-Install pack, but choose to use an engineer for the installation, youll still be charged 30 for this service. Meet the Hub 5, ready to serve up Gig1 Fibre Broadband, our fastest most reliable WiFi yet. If it doesn't request another pod as you can get up to 3. There is no one-off fee. Or, take a look at our installation guide. Available with M50 broadband or faster. They're useful, but come with some annoying limitations. Think streaming in Ultra HD, grabbing that game update before your mates, and downloading massive files in a flash. They are assigned to the router and the account not just able to be swapped around. Incidentally, those numbers spell out UPDATE. WiFi and Internet speeds are fickle beasts. That's 60 per year. We follow the IPSO Editors code of practice to underpin these standards. Its unclear exactly how many of the systems developed by Plume (and available from their own SuperPods system) will be available to those who sign-up for the Virgin Media-branded version of these mesh network gadgets. Plug the larger Booster into a mains socket, in the same room, and switch it on. Excludes broadband faults and broadband network outages. The domestic airwaves are already saturated with WiFi signals from your neighbours. (See below if you run into trouble.). All going well, for the majority of the WiFi Pods lifespan you wont see the light in action. Well, that's the theory. Choose a home.. The Power light will come on and the Connection light will flash amber. New pod arrived and looks exactly the same as . WhatsApp: 07305327112, Press J to jump to the feed. And away from interfering devices with a motor like a washing machine. 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. They're going to be 5 per month for up to 3 pods. . <>stream then google it, you'll probably find that it is the same thing. check for an fcc id. The wireless and power lights will start to blink. As well as the new hardware to extend your Wi-Fi signal, Virgin Media has started to roll out some new software improvements. You can check our list of the best Wi-Fi extenders for other options in boosting your home Wi-Fi. Video guide prepared by Luqman Khanhttps://www.luqman.euHere is with how to self install virgin media pod. Good luck. they look like plume pods, wouldnt be surprised if someone has reflashed them to a generic firmware. For purposes of this tutorial, let's keep the focus on that phone-based option, as I think it's the most expedient method. 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. Press and hold the WPS/Virgin Media button on the Hub until the lights start blinking. Need to contact Virgin Media Customer Services? BeakerUK 1 yr. ago Thanks, seems to have done something.. the pod had a double flash and has now stopped. Make sure you choose an internal wall, free from obstructions, such as: cupboards and shelves with lots of ventilation. Virgin Media have provided me with a test unit of their new Intelligent WiFi pods to review. Gig1 Fibre broadband provides you with the speed you need to stream, zoom or game to your hearts delight. Whereas before my top speed was over 500Mbps on WiFi, it has now dropped to about 480Mbps. 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. But, I'll be honest, I think Virgin are a bit cheeky to charge extra for these. Step 3: There's only one option here, and it's $5/250MB Daily Mobile Hotspot. For those who live in . (That may not seem like a lot of data, but consider that the average user typically consumes less than 1GB in an entire month. Amazon Eero mesh Wi-Fi review: a true rival to the Google Nest Wi-Fi? Connect the coaxial cable to your new Hub and secure it with a spanner (this will be included when you receive your new Hub). Our Hub 3 is packed with fast and reliable WiFi for great coverage around the home. Step 3: There's only one option here, and it's $5/250MB Daily Mobile Hotspot. Pods should be spread evenly around the home, especially in rooms and open spaces where is more common to use Wi-Fi. My friend had 2 pods at home but has since removed one as he needed the socket. The Virgin Intelligent WiFi Pod is a simpler, more integrated option that works with your existing router, building a wireless mesh network. No setup fee. Basically none. 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. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct. Now, press the sync button on the second Booster for 3 seconds. Video guide prepared by Luqman Khanhttps://www.luqman.euHere is with how to self install virgin media pod. Required fields are marked *. Fastest WiFi guarantee of any major provider There are double Ethernet sockets on the Pod. The big limitation is that both your 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi SSIDs need to have the same name and password. Enjoy great WiFi coverage thanks to four built-in antennas that extend and maximise your WiFi coverage around your home. He gave it to me and said I just plug it in and it works. 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 They don't seem to work with other ISPs, and there's no management interface to factory reset them. At least 20Mbps download speeds in every room or 100 one-off credit. 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). Some of my gadgets get confused when there are multiple networks with the same name. 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. If youve requested an upgrade, youll receive a new Virgin Media WiFi Hub in the post. 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. Upon receiving the parcel, youll only need to plug the node into the mains socket.