Did O2 just change to be like BT Mobile?

[Matt..]

I see that O2 now give massively better deals to Virgin customers (double data, roaming) in the same way BT Mobile do. Have Virgin just taken a popular mobile operator and essentially locked it in with Virgin and made it pointless for everyone not a Virgin customer? It really seems that they have.

[Richyvrlimited]

Not unexpected though really seeing as they're merged companies.

[Matt..]

It's just odd that they've now essentially made O2 far less relevant to those not on Virgin. O2 isn't exactly a small provider (I believe it's the second largest in the UK?). At least BT didn't cripple EE but used a separate branded business.

[colin79666]

I don’t know that they have made it pointless, you get extra perks if you bundle, they don’t take stuff away if you don’t. I’m quite happy with their £8 a month for unlimited calls, texts and 12GB data plan. Can’t get Virgin Media even if I wanted to as they haven’t got cables round here.

Not confusing at all that O2 and Virgin Media are one yet Virgin Mobile runs on Vodafone!

[Matt..]

colin79666 said:

I don’t know that they have made it pointless, you get extra perks if you bundle, they don’t take stuff away if you don’t.

They have removed the roaming extras (eg. Travel Inclusive 75 countries) and they're only available if you are with Virgin. That is a significant change.

[Dingu]

Matt.. said:

They have removed the roaming extras (eg. Travel Inclusive 75 countries) and they're only available if you are with Virgin. That is a significant change.

You may find you are conflating two issues. Post brexit most networks have reintroduced some form of roaming charges on lower tariffs so they might have limited the roaming in any case. It’s just a useful marketing tool with Virgin bundles.

Not saying that’s what has happened but it does fall roughly in line with others.

[Jamescrs]

I got mildly excited when I saw this as a Virgin Broadband customer but honestly the deals don't seem that great at all to me, i'm currently on GiffGaff and it still seems preferable and they run on O2's network anyway.

[Chozza]

Matt.. said:

They have removed the roaming extras (eg. Travel Inclusive 75 countries) and they're only available if you are with Virgin. That is a significant change.

How much were you paying for Travel Inclusive extra ? Its still available as a "bolt on" and europe is still including in normal pay monthly...

What have they taken away?

[Matt..]

Chozza said:

How much were you paying for Travel Inclusive extra ? Its still available as a "bolt on" and europe is still including in normal pay monthly...

What have they taken away?

It's not advertised as an included benefit in new sim only contracts as it previously was. https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/sim-cards/sim-only-deals...

It is advertised in the Virgin "exclusive benefits" for sim only contracts.