Virgin Media Broadband and TV Customers See Family Mobile Plan

Existing UK customers on cable ISP Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband and TV network are being “exclusively” offered the option of a new 4G (EE MVNO) Virgin Mobile “Family Plan,” which offers discounts for multiple SIMs and additional parental controls to help manage internet access.

The Family Plan is said to provide one account for multiple SIMs. Customers will be able to add up to 5 mobile plans (SIMs) – all of which may be different – onto their account and will be rewarded with a £2 monthly discount for every eligible additional SIM taken after the first (i.e. a potential maximum saving of up to £96 a year). Related SIMs also include unlimited calls between family members on the account.

The main account holder will also be able to view each individual mobile plan, manage data and device usage and stay on top of how much is being spent via the My Virgin Mobile app. Other members of the Family Plan are also able to view their own individual usage and allowances through the app.

On top of that the Family Plan adds some additional online security features from F-Secure, which are free for the first 12 months of service (£25 a year thereafter).

Family Plan Security Features

· Time limits: Internet access and selected apps can be immobilised at specific times to help balance children’s mobile usage and screen time.

· App control: Allows parents to see what apps their children have installed and apply restrictions if needed such as completely blocking the app or adding time limits.

· Content blocking: Enables parents to make decisions about the content they feel is suitable for their child to view such as certain video content.

· Finder: Allows parents to securely locate their child’s device and view the location.

Annie Brooks, Executive Director of Virgin Mobile, said:

“Juggling family life isn’t always easy in today’s digital world and the growing number of devices can make it even more complex. Our Family Plan aims to take some of the pressure off parents, making their family’s mobile services simple, affordable and safe. Together with our unrivalled ultrafast broadband and fully loaded TV services, our Family Plan gives customers the ultimate line up of fast, flexible and reliable connectivity in home and on the go.”

VM added that their flexible mobile plans also come with data rollover and data-free WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Twitter as standard, as well as “superfast 4G that’s faster on average than Vodafone, Three UK, Sky and O2” (EE’s network does come top in most studies but oddly this specific claim seems to be based on Ookla’s out-of-date analysis of Speedtest Intelligence data from Q1 2018).

The operator concludes by noting that customers also have the freedom to change the airtime element of their plan every 30 days (e.g. such as if you want more data or minutes).