Virgin Media is launching its 4G mobile service with the offer of free messaging on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
The UK cablenet becomes the last of the UK’s major mobile operators to launch a 4G service, though Sky has announced it will enter the market early in 2017.
As a MNVO Virgin will use the network of BT-owned EE.
Peter Kelly, Managing Director of Mobile at Virgin Media, 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.”
Virgin has also introduced a ‘Data Rollover’ into its new plans, allowing customers to transfer any unused data from one month to the next. Customers will receive a text when data is being rolled over and another text when all the leftover data has been used.
Virgin’s 4G mobile plans start at £6 per month for a 30-day rolling contract with 300 minutes, unlimited texts and 300MB of data, up to £25 per month for a contract with 5000 minutes, unlimited texts and 20GB of data.
All Virgin Media 4G plans are available as either ‘Freestyle’ or SIM-only contracts. 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.
Customers will also be able to take advantage of 250,000 WiFi hotspots around the country following its acquis iton of the Arqiva Wi-Fi network, as well as 250 stations on the London Underground.
