Virgin Media is ditching the EE mobile network (BT) when its contract expires and will move its three million-plus mobile customers to Vodafone.
A five year has been agreed between Virgin and Vodafone and extends until 2026. Virgin Media will have access to the full range of Vodafone technology and services, including 5G. Indeed, Virgin Media 5G will be powered by Vodafone even before the present deal with BT expires.
Virgin Media’s current agreement with BT Enterprise comes to an end in late 2021. Virgin Mobile 5G services are set to launch on the Vodafone network before the transition takes place. The new deal with Vodafone will see Virgin Media transfer their mobile customers to the underlying Vodafone network from 2021.
Virgin Mobile is a full MVNO, so they have control over the services they offer to customers. This should make the transition run more smoothly, and Virgin have given themselves plenty of time to prepare.
“This agreement with Vodafone will bring a host of fantastic benefits and experiences to our customers, including 5G services in the near future,” said Lutz Schüler, Virgin Media CEO.
“We’ve worked with BT to provide mobile services for many years and will continue to work together in a number of areas.”
No SIM swaps or any other alterations will need to be made, and users will move across to the Vodafone masts silently.
“We are delighted that Virgin has recognised the huge investments we’ve made, and continue to make, in building the UK’s best mobile network and our role in challenging the market with new commercial services,” added Vodafone UK CEO Nick Jeffery.
“As a result, they have chosen us to work with them in the next phase of their development.”
“This is an exciting deal between two great British brands. We are combining our strong heritage in innovation to create a world without limits for our customers through unlimited data offers and 5G.”
