Introducing Volt – the new supercharged service from Virgin Media O2

[Chris_K]

UPDATE: We've seem some repeat questions and common issues being raised. We've added an update here so if you're experiencing issues, please read this first and see our post-weekend update here too.

Good morning all. What a week this is going to be! This morning we have introduced Volt to the world, the new supercharged service from Virgin Media O2. Our press release was published here this morning with notes and sources, but I've copied the juicy bits below.

Whether you're an O2 customer, a VM customer, both, or none, you can check out our handy website here which will show you how you can get supercharged.

Can I get Volt benefits for everyone in my household who’s on O2?

If you have Virgin Media broadband in your name, you’ll be able to get Volt benefits for all O2 Pay Monthly plans in your name, in your household. But we’re expanding this. Soon, anyone in your household with their own O2 Pay Monthly plan will be able to get Volt benefits through the household’s Virgin Media broadband account. Keep an eye on My O2 and you’ll see the option to activate Volt benefits when it becomes available to you, and you can also stay up to date by visiting https://www.o2.co.uk/virgin-media-o2

First joint product gives customers the best of both brands, with even greater value on UK’s fastest major broadband provider and award winning mobile network

• Volt marks the first major launch since Virgin Media and O2’s £31bn merger earlier this year
• Gig 1 broadband available for the first time in a bundle, combined with an unlimited data O2 SIM and TV favourites
• Existing customers simply need to register to get their services supercharged – for free
• Volt brings faster broadband speeds, double mobile data and discounts

London, UK: Virgin Media O2 is today lifting the lid on its first ever joint product, Volt, bringing together award winning connectivity and amazing entertainment from both Virgin Media and O2, to give customers even more from their services – more speed, more data and more value.

Virgin Media and O2 customers can now supercharge their services and reap extra rewards simply by being customers of both brands. Volt offers double the broadband speed, double the mobile data and discounts on connected devices when customers have or choose to take a broadband service from Virgin Media and a Pay Monthly plan from O2. What’s more, customers with an O2 plan can access exclusive rewards, perks and experiences from Priority – one of the UK’s best loyalty initiatives.

The new joint offering comes less than 150 days since Virgin Media O2 launched, building on the company’s momentum of almost 13 million gigabit premises passed and 5G coverage from O2 expanded to 210 locations. Volt highlights Virgin Media O2’s commitment to offer more choice, convenience and innovation with seamless broadband, entertainment and mobile services all available under one roof.

Exclusive Virgin Media O2 Volt benefits include:

• A broadband speed boost to the next tier available (e.g. 100Mbps boosted to 200Mbps)
• Double mobile data on all eligible O2 Pay Monthly plans (e.g. 10GB boosted to 20GB)
• Up to £150 off a connected device such as a tablet or smartwatch when taking a new O2 Pay Monthly Custom plan
• WiFi Pods available to bolster connectivity around the home
• Roaming in 75 countries including USA, Australia and Spain with O2 Travel

Volt is available to both new and existing customers, offering exclusive benefits to account holders no matter what broadband package or eligible Pay Monthly plan they take. Those new to either Virgin Media or O2 will be able to upgrade to Volt when they add relevant services to their connectivity line-up, while existing customers of both Virgin Media and O2 simply need to enrol via MyO2 to get their services supercharged – at no additional cost.

Jeff Dodds, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media O2 said,

“With Volt, we’re combining the speed and reliability of Virgin Media’s broadband and O2’s mobile networks alongside a variety of incredible perks to give our customers more.

“The launch of converged services in less than 150 days as a business is a huge milestone moment and demonstrates the momentum we have behind our commitment to supercharge connectivity across the UK. This is just the start.”

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This exciting milestone for Virgin Media O2 means that consumers who do not currently take services from either brand can supercharge their package with Volt from the get-go, with new bundles containing an O2 SIM and Virgin Media broadband available on 18 month contracts. The new packages include the ‘Big Volt’ bundle, ‘Bigger Volt’ bundle and ‘Ultimate Volt’ bundle, all of which come with the exclusive Volt benefits and boosts to offer customers more. Pricing for Volt bundles start from £40 per month for 200Mbps Broadband (boosted from 100Mbps), Talk More Weekends and a 10GB O2 SIM (boosted from 5GB). The top Volt bundle (Ultimate Volt bundle) includes Gig1 broadband, an unlimited data O2 SIM, tonnes of TV favourites and two TV 360 boxes, available for £99 per month.

Supercharging small businesses

Small businesses and start-ups who take a Voom broadband service from Virgin Media Business and an eligible O2 Small Biz tariff can also supercharge their services, with 4G start-up and back-up, double mobile data and exclusive perks from Priority.

Virgin Media O2 is the leading converged challenger in the market, pairing O2’s award winning mobile network and the UK’s fastest major broadband provider to enhance connectivity for customers at home and on the go. With Virgin Media’s rapid gigabit broadband rollout and O2’s commitment to deliver 5G to half the UK population in 2023, Virgin Media O2 is just getting started.

[KelvinS]

I thought I'd post a quick update to say after speaking to O2 CS over the phone, VOLT benefits have been applied to both my O2 and VM accounts. My O2 data allowance doubled to 120GB exactly 7 days after speaking with CS. I received a text message and email notifying me of the change and can see this reflected in myO2. I decided not to contact VM after reading about everyone else's experience and am glad I did, because yesterday I received an email from VM saying they'd been notified by O2 and have applied my speed boost. I've confirmed on the Virgin Media app and by running a speed test that I am indeed getting >350Mbps download speeds. Since it appears O2 are coordinating with VM, I'd advise anyone who's had their Volt benefits activated by O2 to give it a few days and not bother trying to contact VM. 

 

[Gemma2688]

I am both an o2 and Virgin Media customer however My o2 app is saying that Virgin is not available in my area so I’m ineligible for the Volt Benefits.

However, I currently have Virgin Media Broadband at said ‘ineligible’ address, so can you advise how I can get the benefits activated on my account please?

Additionally, I struggle to use half of the 90GB data I currently pay for (the next lowest was 5GB, so this was too little to choose) - so is there an option to change to a lower tariff, which is then doubled as part of the benefit?

[madasaf1sh]

@Gemma2688 

You would need to check the T&C's of Volt as not 100% sure or speak to o2 best options are to use social media If you message O2 on Facebook (https://o2uk.co/O2CFB) , Twitter (https://o2uk.co/O2CTW) or Instagram (https://o2uk.co/O2CIG). 

The error you mentioned is a known error, and the error I believe is been reworded to be a bit clearer, best thing to do is wait upto 14 days for the benefits to be applied.. 

[anticpated]

I got boosted to 200MBps. I never knew until I looked at vm for something else.

[madasaf1sh]

Seems the way Virgin work.... tell no one owt @anticpated 

Still waiting or the Complaints team to call me back as been promised ahh well...

[pgn]

My 200M has been a bit uppy-downy since they applied it late last week - now I get this lol:

[anticpated]

I don't use Ethernet besides a direct connection to vm TV box. Although my bandwidth down is limited to 108mbps over wi-fi currently the upload is quicker. So other than getting a dedicated router or using a direct network connection that is my limits 

[TheRonin]

I've had my 02 data doubled but havent had my virgin speed boost from m600 to 1gig being told it's not possible even though it's in my area.

[madasaf1sh]

@TheRonin 

Thats a decision for VM I'm afraid, and not all cabinets in an area can take Gig1... We had it on the next street down 2 weeks before we had it. 

Im afraid to say this, but the best thing to do is speak to Virgin Media CS, and may god have mercy on your soul, whilst you try and do so...

I have a feeling VM are going to remove the Gig1 upgrades as its actually losing them revenue and getting lots of complaints from Gig1 Customers who are on o2 and have recently upgraded and paid for the upgrade..

[TheRonin]

It's definitely at my cabinet, tried talking to virgin and as usual it's like pulling teeth.