Virgin uses T-mobile network. Orange and T-mobile have merged and can now use each others networks. Does this mean that Virgin mobile will be able to use the Orange network as well as T-mobile?

don't think so as the service is "opt in" virgin are a piggyback operator.

Simple answer is no

When T-Mobile and Orange are fully integrated for all services & effectively the same network, MVNO's will be brought under the umbrella. This will have to happen otherwise it'd be like a network saying to it's MVNO customer "you can use our cellsites but not all of them".

From the VM website


Seems to be hidden - have to select exciting developments and then More to come at the bottom of the page.

http://www.virginmediapeople.com/pri...e/default.aspx

Yep, as Chris has quoted. Virgin will continue to be T-Mob only until the networks are fully integrated at which point Virgin will use the entire EE network.

In a few cases, Virgin customers might suffer signal issues in the next few months where T-Mob sites are decommissioned in favour of Orange ones. Apparently Virgin customers affected by this will be allowed to switch networks. But it's only until full integration is completed and the switch is thrown.

Since sunday two phones we use have had no signal with the Virgin network. On contacting them they said try my network settings and choose either Virgin or T Mobile, we cannot get either. Of course we can get Orange or O2.

This happened last year, this went on for nearly a fortnight when eventually I bought a new phone and they sent me a new sim card. The signal from where we live is awful, it works if we travel 1/2 mile away.

What would you do in my position? Am I going to have problems with Virgin the next few months while I am paying out for monthly fees? Shall I just pay off the remainder of my yearly contract, I am sick of the hassles with Virgin.

Try complaining, saying T-Mob cell site has been switched off. They might let you out of contract for free.

I've never had this happen before after 4 years as a Virgin mobile customer. This week, I have noticed that I get an Orange signal on my Virgin phone when I arrive for work in the city centre. When I get home (3 miles away) my Virgin signal returns.

I noticed it on Monday because my phone kept putting up a message that it had lost data connectivity. I couldn't work out what it meant until I notice the 'roaming' indicator was up and it was on the Orange network.

Switching on national roaming fixed the data problem.

Conversely, my phone is seemingly switched to Orange almost the whole time now, and the signal is much better than T-Mobile's ever was.

Hooray! VM have officially announced that we have access to both networks.

http://recombu.com/news/virgin-mobil...rk_M15450.html

Text YES to 789777

Now I know why

http://mediacentre.virginmedia.com/S...-Out-21d4.aspx

It sounds like this service will not be free forever as the article keeps saying initally....

Why? Virgin use the T-Mobile network, T-Mobile and Orange have merged to form Everyone Everywhere with access to BOTH networks (essentially now just 1 network), now they have included their MVNO's like Virgin to share the ENTIRE EE network, what makes you think a charge is likley to be forthcoming?

There's no charge to Orange or T-Mobile customers using either network as it's now essentially one network, so why would this change now Virgin are allowed to share the EE network (Orange+T-Mobile)?? It's no different to being a T-Mobile customer (which is basically what Virgin customers are).

The article claims the network name will be Virgin on T-Mobile and virgin on Orange.

However I've tried the roaming on two phones, the Nokia X2 says Virgin on T and Virgin then Orange.

On a classic Nokia 3310, T is "Virgin Mobile" and Orange is er...Orange!

I'm near Skegness in Lincolnshire, and for the past few days, my phone sometimes displays "Orange" and the roaming symbol

Personally I think they are stressing it's free so that people don't worry they will have to pay roaming fees. Remember all those calls into the call centre to ask will be expensive. Plus the consumer has had it drummed in now that roaming is bad and expensive.

They need to stress it's free so people aren't worried about charges.

http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/gener...t.howdoi.sm660

It's free as it is for T-Mobile and Orange customers.