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.”

---

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.

[MI5]

Mine didn't change at all.

[Derek147]

Joined o2 last week and I’ve been with virgin media for over 20 years. I have the following message regarding volts.

You're seeing this message for one of two reasons:

1. Your Volt benefits are active.

Thanks for taking Volt. We hope you enjoy your supercharged benefits. If you've not got them already, it can take a few days for them to be applied, but we'll send you a message as soon as they're active. Once active you can see your double data and other Volt benefits in My O2.

2. It doesn't look like you can get Volt right now.

You need to be a customer of both O2 and Virgin Media to be eligible for Volt. Right now, Virgin Media isn't available at your address below. But don't worry, we're always expanding our broadband network, so keep an eye out for when it becomes available in your area.

Any help would be appreciated.

[jonsie]

It's the usual default error

14 days is the normal timescale although mine was 5 days to get the double data for both VM and O2

Neither contract was changed in relation to price or length.

[Jonathan2]

Pathetic service. Got a text message from O2 confirming I'm eligible for Volt benefits - click on the link, sign into My O2 - absolutely no option to activate them. Just the usual page giving me the option to join virgin media. 

[Jackolad]

Been with Virginmedia about 20 or so years, started 2 contracts with o2 on 15th November.

My Virgin media has increased the speed a couple of days ago but no sign of double data on the phone contracts. Messaged o2 and have been told that it will come within the next 14 days, seems a long time. Keeping my fingers crossed

[Chris1979]

I'm getting similar issues to others. Signed up to O2 on a sim-only contract about three weeks ago. Originally, when I checked the Volt page, it had three options: 1. Volt Benefits are Active, 2. We are checking whether you are eligible for Volt benefits, 3. It doesn't look like you can get Volt right now.

Now I get the same message above, which says either my Volt benefits are active (which they are not) or it doesn't look like I can get Volt.

I have a VM contract at the same address under the same name but it looks like the rubbish system that O2/VM have to check isn't working to authorise me.

This happened to anyone else and is there a way to resolve it? I'm being denied an offer I should be eligible for because of a not-fit-for-purpose verification system!

[madasaf1sh]

@Chris1979 

Your Name and Address must match, and no short variations of name etc, as like most verification systems it will fail. 

I would speak to both VM and o2 im afraid, as something isn't matching,  VM can be contacted on 0345 454 1111 

If you message O2 on Facebook (https://o2uk.co/O2CFB) , Twitter (https://o2uk.co/O2CTW) or Instagram (https://o2uk.co/O2CIG) , they should be able to help you with this

[PCry]

I'm in the same situation as Chris1979 is in, unfortunately I'm not on any social media, is there any other way to get in touch about this?

[madasaf1sh]

@PCry 

0345 4541111 for VM or 0344 809 0202 from o2 both from different phones or call 150 from a VM phone or 202 from an o2 phone

[PCry]

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you know if it's better to get in touch with O2 first, rather than having to call both to sort it all out?