Virgin Media SIM Only - EU Roaming Fair Use Policy Removed

[Hagstrom]

In negotiation with Virgin today about leaving them, I was offered SIM Only deals of 25gb data/Unlimited Calls/Texts etc for £8/m; ditto but 30gb data for £10/m; ditto but 75gb data for £14/m; ditto but Unlimited data for £30/m.
I asked how much EU Roaming was allowed under Virgin's Fair Use Policy and was told that the Fair Use Policy had been recently removed and Virgin will now let you use all your data allowance as EU Roaming. This surprised me as I can't remember Virgin telling me that their Fair Use Policy had changed. The agent said he thought that the Fair Use Policy had been removed in "December or January".
I elected to stay with Virgin because of this on condition that I could use the full data allowance inn the EU at no extra cost and made sure to keep the chat over WhatsApp as a record of what was agreed.
This information may be useful to anyone presently in EU thinking that Virgin's Fair Use Policy still applies and those who spend time in the EU and are contemplating changing providers.
PS This is a Monthly Contract - not a 12 or 24 month contract so it's very flexible.

 

[funflair]

Vodafone kept telling me something similar but it was an out and out lie and they eventually admitted that, I have just asked O2 (who Virgin use) and they said 25gb fair use limit.

 

[Hagstrom]

Hi Martin - I was suspicious too, that's why I got the agent to spell it out 3 times and I have a written record of the conversation. I've since looked on Virgin Mobile's website to check. There's no mention of a Fair Use Policy and their "Roam like Home" scheme does state that you can use your full UK data allowance in the EU.

 

[dunnah01]

Their online calculator shows as 16.03Gb roaming FUP if you have the £30/m unlimited SIM

 

[funflair]

Hi Martin - I was suspicious too, that's why I got the agent to spell it out 3 times and I have a written record of the conversation. I've since looked on Virgin Mobile's website to check. There's no mention of a Fair Use Policy and their "Roam like Home" scheme does state that you can use your full UK data allowance in the EU.

Well it's certainly well hidden but you can find it,

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[mikebeaches]

We've had three SIM-only accounts with Virgin Mobile for some time and were able to take up an offer a while back @ £5 each per month for 10gb of data.

Works well for us and of course the free roaming is a real bonus.

 

[Hagstrom]

Just phoned Virgin Mobile to verify their FUP no longer applies.
The operator I spoke to confirmed that FUP does apply and I won't be able to use the UK data allowance in the EU. I pointed out that I have written confirmation from their agent that the full UK allowance can be used as EU Roaming.
The Virgin operator apologised for the bad information and agreed to terminate the new contract. When I told him that the Webchat agent lied three times in writing he said that the agent would be re-coached!
What a slippery bunch these guys are. Apologies All.

 

[Ingwe]

In negotiation with Virgin today about leaving them, I was offered SIM Only deals of 25gb data/Unlimited Calls/Texts etc for £8/m; ditto but 30gb data for £10/m; ditto but 75gb data for £14/m; ditto but Unlimited data for £30/m.
I asked how much EU Roaming was allowed under Virgin's Fair Use Policy and was told that the Fair Use Policy had been recently removed and Virgin will now let you use all your data allowance as EU Roaming. This surprised me as I can't remember Virgin telling me that their Fair Use Policy had changed. The agent said he thought that the Fair Use Policy had been removed in "December or January".
I elected to stay with Virgin because of this on condition that I could use the full data allowance inn the EU at no extra cost and made sure to keep the chat over WhatsApp as a record of what was agreed.
This information may be useful to anyone presently in EU thinking that Virgin's Fair Use Policy still applies and those who spend time in the EU and are contemplating changing providers.
PS This is a Monthly Contract - not a 12 or 24 month contract so it's very flexible.

I have to say that, for over 5 years now with a Virgin unlimited data deal for which we pay £30 odd per month, we have not encountered any limits. We stream radio and television in both the van and in our French holiday home for three months at a time without additional charges.
If Virgin were to start imposing a 25gb limit, I’d go elsewhere.
So very interested to read of your discussions with Virgin’s agent.

 

[Hagstrom]

I've had further webchats with VM.
VM:- "I do apologize for this and for the confusion. AS ,mentioned with my colleague the Fair Data usage is now removed for EU and will be able to use the full 25GB Of data when roaming both in UK and within EU. No worries, this is now raised as a complaint as well and for the inconvenience this has caused you."

But they also said:-
"Here's how the roaming Fair Usage Policy works.

In every rolling 4 month period, you must use more data, calls and texts in the UK than the EU or spend more time in the UK than away somewhere else.

So, if you've used your phone more in the UK than you have in the EU within the last 4 months, you can still use your allowance whilst travelling without incurring a surcharge. The surcharge will kick in if you haven't reduced usage to your domestic levels after 2 weeks. This will give you time to get back to normal usage before that happens.

As of the moment this is not yet available online as well, Since Virgin Media O2 will be giving millions of its Virgin Mobile customers more data and extra benefits this year as we begin moving them over to O2 plans.

We will begin contacting our first group of customers from Wednesday 8 February to let them know that we’ll be moving their mobile services onto an equivalent O2 plan in March 2023. We'll continue to move customers over to O2 plans throughout the year, and by the end of 2023 all existing and newly joined Virgin Mobile customers will have been moved to O2 plans."

Virgin Mobile customers will get the exact details of the changes at least 30 days before we switch them over. This could be anytime throughout 2023."

That FPU appears to contradict the first statement, above.

However, the imminent switch of customers to O2 who are more generous with their approach to roaming, further muddies the water. Its very confusing.

 

[BillyBeckers]

Just checked on my Virgin Mobile Account which is part of the Oomph Package and everything I can see indicates that all UK Mobile allowances are carried over whilst in the EU, including unlimited Data. No mention of any Fair Usage Policy

How to set up phone before travelling abroad​

There are a few things you can do to make sure your phone is ready for your trip abroad. Let’s take a look.

Setup APN settings on your mobile​

Check Virgin Mobile coverage abroad​

Check your data usage and allowance​

Depending on where you’re travelling to, you may be able to use your inclusive allowance of data, minutes and texts, just like you would at home.

If you’re travelling in the EU
Roam Like Home allows you to use your UK allowance of minutes, texts and data in the EU just as you would in the UK. If you exceed your allowances you will be notified and charged at exactly the same rates as you do in the UK. For more information on charges please go here

If you’re travelling outside the EU
If you’re travelling outside the EU, you won’t be able to use your UK inclusive allowance. If you’ve switched on roaming, you’ll be charged for any calls, texts and data you use when abroad, and your data usage will be charged per Megabyte.

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[Fragle]

Just checked on my Virgin Mobile Account which is part of the Oomph Package and everything I can see indicates that all UK Mobile allowances are carried over whilst in the EU, including unlimited Data. No mention of any Fair Usage Policy

How to set up phone before travelling abroad​

There are a few things you can do to make sure your phone is ready for your trip abroad. Let’s take a look.

Setup APN settings on your mobile​

Check Virgin Mobile coverage abroad​

Check your data usage and allowance​

Depending on where you’re travelling to, you may be able to use your inclusive allowance of data, minutes and texts, just like you would at home.

If you’re travelling in the EU
Roam Like Home allows you to use your UK allowance of minutes, texts and data in the EU just as you would in the UK. If you exceed your allowances you will be notified and charged at exactly the same rates as you do in the UK. For more information on charges please go here

If you’re travelling outside the EU
If you’re travelling outside the EU, you won’t be able to use your UK inclusive allowance. If you’ve switched on roaming, you’ll be charged for any calls, texts and data you use when abroad, and your data usage will be charged per Megabyte.

View attachment 736184

We are with Virginmedia and went to France for 90 days last year. No problems at all on both phones. Used phone for football and F1 on tv through fire stick plus general usage and never had an issue. Also if signal wasn't great I took the sim out and put it in the motorhome wifi Ariel again no problem.
Will do the same again in June to Sept this year

 

[gus-lopez]

Just checked on my Virgin Mobile Account which is part of the Oomph Package and everything I can see indicates that all UK Mobile allowances are carried over whilst in the EU, including unlimited Data. No mention of any Fair Usage Policy

How to set up phone before travelling abroad​

There are a few things you can do to make sure your phone is ready for your trip abroad. Let’s take a look.

Setup APN settings on your mobile​

Check Virgin Mobile coverage abroad​

Check your data usage and allowance​

Depending on where you’re travelling to, you may be able to use your inclusive allowance of data, minutes and texts, just like you would at home.

If you’re travelling in the EU
Roam Like Home allows you to use your UK allowance of minutes, texts and data in the EU just as you would in the UK. If you exceed your allowances you will be notified and charged at exactly the same rates as you do in the UK. For more information on charges please go here

If you’re travelling outside the EU
If you’re travelling outside the EU, you won’t be able to use your UK inclusive allowance. If you’ve switched on roaming, you’ll be charged for any calls, texts and data you use when abroad, and your data usage will be charged per Megabyte.

View attachment 736184

In your link click on "here" click on virgin mobile , click on " fair usage policy" it states it there you must use more in a 4 month period in the UK than out.