Virgin Media O2
VMED O2 UK Limited, trading as Virgin Media O2, is a British mass media and telecommunications company based in London, England. The company was formed in June 2021 as a 50:50 joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica through the merger of their respective Virgin Media and O2 UK businesses.[1][2][3]
Type | Joint venture |
---|---|
Industry | |
Founded | 1 June 2021 |
Headquarters | London, England, UK |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Lutz Schüler (CEO) |
Owners |
|
Subsidiaries | |
Website | virginmediao2 |
It is one of the largest entertainment and telecommunications operators in the United Kingdom, with around 47 million customers in 2021.[1][4]
As of December 2022, Virgin Media and O2 UK have separate consumer websites and brandings. They are after different markets. Virgin Media is focusing on broadband, TV and phone services while O2 is focusing on mobile. They have introduced their joint venture 'Volt', where consumers get rewarded for having both an O2 Pay Monthly plan with Virgin Media broadband.[5] Notice to cancel a mobile virtual network operator deal previously formed between Virgin Mobile and Vodafone (made prior to the Virgin and O2 merger) was given in the company's Q2 2021 financial results, and was completed in 2022.
On 11th January 2023, Virgin Media O2 announced that they will discontinue Virgin Mobile and move customers to O2. They believe they will complete the migration by the end of the year.
On 24 July 2023, it was announced that Virgin Media O2 was reducing roles of up to 2,000 members of staff by the end of 2023.[6]
In August, Virgin Mobile closed down for new and upgrading customers redirecting users to O2 or Giffgaff.
In September 2023, it was announced Virgin Media O2 had acquired the UK-regional broadband business, Upp.[7]
References
- Harris, Jamie (1 June 2021). "Virgin Media O2 pledges to create 'unbeatable choice' as merged brand launches". The Independent. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- Warrington, James (1 June 2021). "Virgin Media O2 promises market shake-up after £31bn merger". City A.M. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- "VMED O2 UK LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk.
- "Virgin Media and O2 'blockbuster' merger provisionally approved". BBC News. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- "Virgin Media & O2 Benefits | Virgin Media". www.virginmedia.com. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- Jackson, Mark (11 January 2023). "Virgin Media UK Confirm Aim to Switch Virgin Mobile Plans to O2". ISPreview UK. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- "VMO2 looks Upp with latest acquisition". Capacity Media. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.