Virgin Media UK Revamps Broadband Bundles and Offers 6 Months Half Price

Cable giant Virgin Media, which this week completed the rollout of its 100Mbps (Megabits per second) service to 13 Million UK homes ahead of schedule (originally due to finish mid-2012), has today announced a revamp of its “superfast as standard” broadband, tv and phone services as ‘Collections‘ alongside a six months half price offer.

The new “collections” bundles will be available from 1st April 2012 to both new and existing customers looking to update their services, although only NEW customers will be able to get the six months half price promotion when taking a Collection on an 18 month contract.

In addition Virgin Media’s packages will now start at 30Mbps (L) instead of 10Mbps (note: currently being upgraded to 20Mbps under their double speed promotion), while XL becomes 60Mbps (currently 30Mbps) and XXL becomes 100Mbps (currently 50Mbps). Hence “superfast as standard” because all of their packages will be above the UK governments definition of superfast broadband (24Mbps+).

Andrew Barron, COO of Virgin Media, said:

“Virgin Media has been leading the evolution of digital entertainment in the UK, and with services such as TiVo and 100Mb, we’ve catalysed a massive growth in the consumption of digital entertainment. This is the first time we’ve combined these leading products in this way and these ground-breaking Collections mark a new chapter for digital services in the UK, with superfast broadband and next-generation TV services now attracting the mass consumer market and families looking for the best way to enjoy their digital lives across the numerous connected devices found inside – or outside – the home today.”

Unfortunately we won’t get all the details until the new offers “collections” go live next week but Virgin has been kind enough to furnish us with some information on the various prices and packages.

For example, the Essential Collection (30Mbps broadband, M+ TV package, unlimited weekend calls) will be the equivalent to the entry level bundle at £12.50 per month then £25 a month thereafter (TiVo 500GB is included on all collections and 6 months Spotify is included on Premiere collections and above). These prices are when taken with a Virgin Home Phone line at £13.90 per month, e-billing and with payment via Direct Debit.

Apparently the old dual-play (broadband and phone only) bundles will also still be available and start at just £4 per month for 30Mbps (£14.50 after the first 3 months), rising to £5 per month for 60Mbps (£18.50 after the first 3 months); though they might not be as obvious on Virgin Media’s official site as before.