Free Daytime Calls for Virgin Media’s Vulnerable Phone Customers
Customers of cable broadband ISP Virgin Media UK, specifically those classified as “elderly” (aged 65+) or “vulnerable” and taking the operator’s landline phone service, are being given “free daytime calls” so they can stay connected “at no extra cost” during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis.
The change will last until 22nd May 2020 and reflects an extension of the operator’s existing Talk Protected plan, which adds unlimited free calls to UK landlines and mobiles (currently subscribers to this would only gain inclusive evening and weekend minutes).
Talk Protected is a phone-only plan designed for those over the age of 65 or those with additional accessibility needs. As part of Talk Protected, which costs £17.99 per month, line rental charges are frozen with no future rises, and eligible customers also receive discounts on other Virgin Phone plans.
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Jeff Dodds, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media, said:
“Staying connected to the people we love matters more than anything right now. We know this is particularly challenging for some of our older or vulnerable customers at the moment, so we’re giving those customers unlimited free calls to help them stay in touch with friends and family in these difficult times.”
Virgin added that they will keep the 22nd May expiry date under review and may “consider” extending this if the current lockdown continues for longer.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook and Linkedin.
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Sky just gave it to everyone
Shame Virgin couldn’t do the same
Virgin are still doing installs, money hungry parasites trying to get a head start over Openreach that is no longer doing installs during lockdown…
@Dave not at all, they are following the government guidelines. It’s companies like them who are keeping the economy going.
@jazzy
Sky are increasing call prices from 1st May 2020 so anything you get for free they will soon enough make back off you.
https://www.sky.com/shop/terms-conditions/talk/code-of-practice/tariff-guide/
Only a fool thinks anything is going to be truly free in business. An even bigger fool announces things before fully researching.
I am 85 and Virgin Media’s new phone system bleeps in my ear when I am on a call, really irritating! Also the system takes messages, interrupting the use of my own ansafone and I never get those messages! My bill is £80 plus and what am I getting! Tv, broadbands fir 1 IPad only and telephone calls which are a major contributory factor. What can I do. I can’t speak to an English person who understands! I have been with .virgin since 2006 abd have not had a reply to my letter of complaint since March! They say I am on a new contract because an Indian speaking person changed my package! I didn’t understand him! I am very upset, lost and alone! I want help in this lock down but when I try to phone I am on phone fir at least hskf an hour waiting with no answer! I am nit technical! What can .i do? Webdy Mason