NET Virtua Speed Test | Kencang
Test your NET Virtua internet speed in Brazil
www.claro.com.brNET Virtua is the cable broadband brand operated by Claro in Brazil, serving approximately 5 million households across 21 states. Originally an independent cable company, NET was acquired by America Movil and absorbed into the Claro brand in 2019. The NET Virtua cable network continues to deliver broadband to millions of homes using HFC (hybrid fiber-coaxial) technology.
About NET Virtua
NET Servicos de Comunicacao was founded in 1991 in Sao Paulo by Antonio Dias Leite and Grupo Globo as a cable television company. NET launched its NET Virtua broadband internet service in the early 2000s, becoming one of Brazil's largest residential broadband providers. The company was acquired by America Movil's Embratel unit and fully absorbed into the Claro brand on July 11, 2019.
The NET brand was briefly relaunched as Claro NET in 2020, then discontinued entirely in 2022. However, the NET Virtua cable broadband infrastructure continues operating under the Claro brand. Millions of Claro broadband customers still receive service over the original NET Virtua cable (HFC) network.
Claro is gradually upgrading former NET Virtua areas to fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), but the transition is ongoing. Many addresses in former NET Virtua coverage areas still receive cable-based broadband rather than fiber.
NET Virtua Plans and Services
NET Virtua offers several internet plans across different technologies and price points.
NET Virtua cable internet plans range from 120 Mbps to 500 Mbps. The 120 Mbps plan costs BRL 79.90 per month, the 240 Mbps plan costs BRL 99.90, and the 500 Mbps plan costs BRL 129.90. All plans include a Wi-Fi router and have no data cap.
NET Virtua uses DOCSIS 3.1 technology on its HFC (hybrid fiber-coaxial) network, delivering broadband over the same coaxial cables used for cable television. Upload speeds on cable are limited to 20-50 Mbps, lower than fiber's symmetrical speeds.
Since NET Virtua is now part of Claro, customers order through Claro's website and stores. In areas where Claro has completed the fiber upgrade, subscribers are automatically moved to Claro Fibra with faster speeds. NET Virtua cable service remains active in areas where the fiber upgrade has not yet been completed.
NET Virtua Internet Plans
| Plan | Speed | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| NET Virtua 120 Mega cable | 120 Mbps | BRL 79.90/month |
|
| NET Virtua 240 Mega cable | 240 Mbps | BRL 99.90/month |
|
| NET Virtua 500 Mega cable | 500 Mbps | BRL 129.90/month |
|
Prices and availability may vary by location. Contact NET Virtua for current offers.
NET Virtua Coverage by Region
NET Virtua performance varies by location. Coverage density, local infrastructure, and network congestion affect speeds in each market.
Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area
Many addresses already upgraded to fiber. Check Claro website for availability
Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area
Rio was one of NET Virtua's original markets with extensive cable coverage
Other State Capitals
Fiber upgrades vary by city. Some capitals already fully upgraded
Interior Cities
Regional fiber ISPs often offer better speeds than cable in interior cities
Is NET Virtua Right for You?
Every provider has trade-offs. Here is how NET Virtua performs based on real-world usage and customer feedback.
Strengths
- Wide coverage across 21 states. More addresses than fiber-only providers
- Established HFC infrastructure reaches homes where fiber is not yet available
- Backed by Claro (America Movil) with BRL 40 billion investment plan
- Being upgraded to fiber in many areas. Free speed boost when fiber arrives
- No installation delay in areas with existing cable wiring
- Plans available from BRL 79.90 per month
Weaknesses
- Cable (HFC) speeds drop during peak evening hours due to shared bandwidth
- Upload speeds limited to 20-50 Mbps. Much lower than fiber
- Maximum speed of 500 Mbps. Cannot match fiber's 1 Gbps or higher
- Cable infrastructure is aging in some areas with reliability issues
- NET brand is discontinued. No dedicated support. Handled by Claro
- No longer accepting new NET Virtua subscriptions. New customers get Claro plans
Best For
- Existing NET Virtua customers who have a working cable connection
- Users in areas where only cable (not fiber) is available from Claro
- Households that do not need speeds above 500 Mbps
- Users waiting for Claro's fiber upgrade in their area
- Budget users who find cable plans cheaper than fiber alternatives
Not Ideal For
- Users who need upload speeds above 50 Mbps (switch to fiber)
- Gamers who need low latency (fiber is more consistent)
- Remote workers with video conferencing (upload limitations affect quality)
- Users who want speeds above 500 Mbps (request fiber upgrade or switch providers)
- New customers (NET Virtua no longer accepts new subscribers. Use Claro)
How NET Virtua Compares
Side-by-side comparison of NET Virtua against major competitors in Brazil.
| Competitor | Speed | Price | Coverage | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivo Fibra | NET Virtua max 500 Mbps. Vivo Fibra up to 10 Gbps. Vivo is significantly faster. | NET Virtua 120 Mbps at BRL 79.90. Vivo 300 Mbps at BRL 99.99. Vivo offers more speed per real. | NET Virtua covers more total addresses through cable. Vivo Fibra has 447 cities with FTTH. | Switch to Vivo Fibra if available at your address. Cable is a fallback where fiber is not yet deployed. |
| Claro Fibra | Claro Fibra offers up to 1 Gbps. NET Virtua maxes at 500 Mbps. Fiber is faster with better upload. | NET Virtua 240 Mbps at BRL 99.90. Claro Fibra 250 Mbps at BRL 79.90. Fiber is cheaper for similar speeds. | Claro Fibra is expanding to replace NET Virtua cable. Not all addresses upgraded yet. | Request Claro Fibra upgrade at your address. If fiber is available, switch from cable. It costs the same or less. |
Troubleshooting NET Virtua Issues
Common NET Virtua connection problems and how to fix them.
NET Virtua cable speed drops significantly during evening hours
Cause: Cable (HFC) technology shares bandwidth among all users on the same cable node. Peak hours (7pm-11pm) cause congestion.
- Test speed at different times to confirm the issue is peak-hour congestion
- Restart the cable modem by unplugging power for 30 seconds
- Contact Claro at 10621 to check if your cable node is overloaded
- Ask Claro if fiber is now available at your address for an upgrade
- Consider upgrading to the 500 Mbps plan for more headroom during peak hours
NET Virtua cable internet disconnects frequently
Cause: Aging coaxial cable connections, modem overheating, or signal quality issues.
- Check all coaxial cable connections from wall to modem are tight and undamaged
- Ensure the modem has good ventilation and is not overheating
- Request a modem replacement from Claro if the current unit is more than 3 years old
- Ask for a technician visit to check signal levels at the wall outlet
- Check if fiber is available for an upgrade that would eliminate cable reliability issues
NET Virtua History
Key milestones in NET Virtua development and network expansion.
NET Servicos founded in Sao Paulo as a cable television company
Launched NET Virtua broadband internet service over cable
Became one of Brazil's largest broadband providers with millions of cable subscribers
Acquired by America Movil's Embratel unit
NET brand absorbed into Claro. All services rebranded to Claro
Claro NET branding discontinued. Cable service continues under Claro name
Ongoing fiber upgrades replacing cable in major cities
Test Your NET Virtua Speed
Run a free speed test to check if NET Virtua delivers the speeds you are paying for. Test during peak evening hours for the most realistic results. Compare your results against NET Virtua advertised speeds above.
NET Virtua Speed Test FAQ
Is NET Virtua the same as Claro internet?
Yes, NET Virtua is now part of Claro. The NET brand was absorbed into Claro in 2019, and the Claro NET branding was discontinued in 2022. However, the physical cable (HFC) infrastructure that delivered NET Virtua service still exists and continues to serve millions of homes. When you order Claro broadband, you may receive fiber or cable depending on your address. If your connection comes over coaxial cable rather than fiber optic, you are on the former NET Virtua infrastructure even though it is now branded as Claro.
Can I upgrade from NET Virtua cable to Claro fiber?
In many areas, yes. Claro is actively upgrading former NET Virtua cable areas to fiber-to-the-home. Check availability by entering your address on the Claro website at claro.com.br. If fiber is available, you can request the upgrade. Claro typically sends a technician to install the fiber connection and replace the cable modem with a fiber router. The upgrade often comes at the same or lower monthly cost for faster speeds. If fiber is not yet available, you can request to be notified when the upgrade reaches your area.
Why is NET Virtua slower during evening hours?
NET Virtua uses cable (HFC) technology, which shares bandwidth among all users connected to the same cable node in your neighborhood. During evening hours between 7pm and 11pm, many households stream video, game, and download simultaneously. This shared bandwidth causes speeds to drop for everyone on the same node. Fiber-to-the-home does not have this problem because each home gets a dedicated fiber connection. If peak-hour slowdowns affect your usage, upgrading to Claro fiber (where available) is the best fix.