Following announcements by rival networks to reinstate extra fees after Brexit, Virgin Mobile and O2 customers will not be charged for roaming.
Customers who travel to Europe will be able to use their mobile data, make calls, and send texts on the same terms as they do in the United Kingdom.
Roaming costs for users traveling to Europe will be reintroduced this year by Vodafone, EE, and Three.
After the EU repealed roaming charges in 2017, consumers may use their calls, texts, and data allowance in their mobile plans in any EU country before the UK departed. The EU trade pact of December 2020, on the other hand, allowed mobile carriers the option of restoring fees.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Virgin and O2 for keeping roaming free across Europe in a tweet. Based on a study of prices from other carriers, Virgin Media O2 – the business that controls the Virgin Mobile and O2 networks – claimed a family of four going overseas for two weeks may see an extra £100 on their bill.
“We’re starting the year off right by assuring our customers that roaming costs will not be reintroduced for customers on O2 or Virgin Mobile in Europe,” said Gareth Turpin, chief commercial officer. “With so many Brits planning trips abroad, we’ve got them covered, and extra roaming charges will be one less thing to worry about.”
Roaming charges will be reinstated by Vodafone at the end of January, and by EE in March. Due to testing and technical concerns, both networks delayed reintroducing the charges sooner. Meanwhile, Three plans to start charging fees in May.
Customers who joined or upgraded with EE after July 7, 2021, will be charged a £2 daily roaming fee in EU nations, while those who joined, upgraded, or renewed their contract with Vodafone after August 11, would be charged the same fee.
Both carriers will offer packages to avoid the fee, with EE customers paying £10 for a 30-day roaming ticket and Vodafone customers paying £1 per day for an eight or 15-day pass. For those who joined or upgraded after October 1, 2021, Three will impose a £2 daily levy.
About Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile is a wireless transmission brand that is licensed to seven different companies throughout the world. In Colombia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Chile, Russia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Poland, South Africa, and Mexico, Virgin Mobile-branded wireless communications services are provided. In the past, Virgin Mobile services were available in Australia, France, Singapore, India, Qatar, and the United States.
Because each Virgin Mobile branded entity operates independently of the others, phones, service plans, and network radio interfaces differ by country. Virgin Mobile is often a cooperation between Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and an existing mobile network operator or mobile virtual network operator in a certain nation.
O2 network
Giffgaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, and Lycamobile are the four MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that currently use O2’s network.
By using one of O2’s MVNOs, you may save money and gain additional features while still having access to O2’s outstanding network coverage.