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.

[Mandrake]

Eventually I got a response asking for some more info that was 2:40 after initial message, though once again no answer back since (+1 hour); Making for a very slow and long convo!

[madasaf1sh]

Thought I would update... 

Just got a text from o2, to say my Volt Benefits have been applied and my Laptop Sim has been doubled to 20Gb and just waiting on the other number to be completed.. 

So a weekish to get to this point.. 

So credit where its due to o2...  Virgin Media is another issue, and just had the phone put down on me by Customer Services after asking the Complaints team to call me back after they called me, and that's after the CS guy tried to sell me a new package first...... 😑

[anticpated]

Same here. Virginmedia are not showing any positive signs. In fact, it says I doubled already. That was 2 years ago on another contract. Hmm.....

[CarDex2020]

For those on oomph with vm this may be of use.

I finally got confirmation from O2 my benefit is now active. No word from vm yet

https://www.virginmedia.com/join/terms-and-conditions

1. If you are an existing Oomph customer:

1. your continued use of your Virgin Media mobile service shall be subject to Virgin Media’s standard pay monthly terms and conditions which can be found at www.virginmedia.com/shop/the-legal-stuff;

2. your Virgin Media mobile service will continue to be provided on a 30 day rolling contract basis; and

3. if you cancel your Virgin Media mobile service by using your PAC code to switch to a new mobile service provider, your Virgin Media SIM will stop working and we will be unable to provide mobile services to you using the same mobile number. Depending on the services you have in your Virgin Media package we will either: (a) automatically move your other services to the nearest equivalent Virgin Media package without a Virgin Media mobile service taking into account your current allowances and usage; or (b) where there is no equivalent package we will send you a new Virgin Media SIM with a new number as soon as possible to enable you to continue using your Virgin Media services as usual. If you end your Virgin Media mobile service, your other Virgin Media services will continue and your Virgin Media minimum period will be unaffected. If we have to send you a new Virgin Media SIM, we may need to run a credit check on your account. If your account is in arrears, or if your payment history is poor, you may be required to clear your balance before we can send you a new Virgin Media SIM.

4. You may be required to upgrade or swap your equipment in order for us to provide the Volt benefits for your Virgin Media services. If this is the case, we will let you know and facilitate an equipment swap. Should you not agree to the equipment swap or fail to return your existing equipment we may not be able to provide you with your Volt benefits.

[Monkehfu]

So update from me...

O2 applied my Volt benefits today to only one sim on my account, not the other?

Virgin Media would only apply the speed boost after redoing my contract meaning the speed boost is costing me £0.50 more a month. 

Something smells a little off here. 

[madasaf1sh]

@Monkehfu 

That's wrong, put in a complaint to Virgin Media, as its a free regrade to the next available speed, for your area..

[MI5]

O2 have applied my volt upgrade today.

Just waiting for Virgin now.

[Ratfink]

This does seem to be very poorly thought-out, implemented, or both.  My comms with VM have been awful.  Similar to some others on this thread, they've tried to upgrade me to a 'volt package' when I'm already on Oomph, and have an o2 sim as well.  O2 have been okay, but very much 'wait 14 days, then get back to us if you haven't heard', which feels marginally better than trying to be sold to when this is all meant to be free.  If the comms could be improved, that would significantly help!  Can't help but think there's some horrible manual process behind the scenes......

[madasaf1sh]

@Ratfink 

I agree the comms from VM are awful, and consistently different depending on who you speak to, and their community team are AWOL, and seemingly unable to deal with Volt. 

We are very lucky to have @Chris_K who has updated us all with information as FAQ's and been as transparent as possible...  

It could be a lot worse  

[Ratfink]

Agree @madasaf1sh.  This forum and @Chris_K have given me far more info than VM.  I'm new to O2, but been with VM for years, and their CS leaves a lot to be desired!