Virgin Media UK Unveils New 4G Mobile Plans and Prices

After a slightly longer than expected wait Virgin Media will today take the wraps off a new 4G (LTE) powered Virgin Mobile service, which is fuelled by their Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement with EE.

At present Virgin Mobile’s existing 3G SIM-Only plans cost from £5 per month (250 minutes, unlimited texts and 250MB of data), while their top end plan costs £23 for 5000 minutes, unlimited texts and 10GB.

All of the above operate off a 30 day contract, although customers do suffer from an admittedly soft no-Tethering clause (i.e. it’s not usually enforced unless somebody is found to be making excessive use, although we’re not sure precisely where they draw the line). The same is also still true for the new 4G tariffs.

By comparison the new 4G plans cost a little extra, but they’re also much more data centric and include some much bigger data allowances. On top of that we understand that the plans include “free” WhatsApp messenger and Facebook messenger usage, as well as a 1 Month Data Rollover (most other operators expire their allowances at the end of the month).

Virgin Mobile’s 4G SIM-Only Plans

£6: 300 Mins, unlimited texts, 300MB data

£9: 1500 Mins, unlimited texts, 1GB data

£12: 2500 Mins, unlimited texts, 2GB data

£15: 2500 Mins, unlimited texts, 4GB data

£25: 5000 Mins, unlimited texts, 20GB data

At the time of writing the plans weren’t yet online and so we haven’t been able to check the T&C’s or see what Mobile Broadband / Tablet SIMs might also be available. Take note that the related network tends to harness the 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2600MHz radio spectrum bands.

Peter Kelly, Managing Director of Mobile at VM, said:

“Virgin Media’s new mobile plans are fast, flexible and filled with data. By offering free messaging on WhatsApp and Messenger we’re making sure that Virgin Media customers never have to worry about messaging friends or family and if there’s data left over at the end of the month then we’ve got that covered too. With 4G our customers have a quicker way to browse, message, stream and play wherever they are.”

Customers should also be on the lookout for a special “double data” offer on all Freestyle and SIMO contracts for the £6, £9 and £12 plans, which we believe may launch around 21-28th November. However the precise details have yet to be confirmed.

Take note that Freestyle contracts split the plan and handset elements of a contract over a 24 month period to give Virgin Media customers the ability to pay the handset element off early to upgrade to a new phone. Last month Virgin Mobile also introduced a “Trade Up” scheme so that its customers can use the existing value of their phone to upgrade to the latest handsets.

On both Freestyle and SIM-only plans customers have freedom to move up and down plans each month depending on their data needs. Virgin Media customers can also download the Virgin Media WiFi app and make use of up to 250,000 WiFi hotspots available everywhere from airports and cafes to more than 250 stations on the London Underground.