Are Virgin Mobile pricing themselves out of PAYG?

Martin Phillp · 29-05-2011, 17:56

When I lost my phone and asked for a replacement, Virgin CS wanted me to join their 'Addict' tariff which is 26p per minute on all networks which is surely one of the more expensive plans?

Addict does offer 300 texts if you top up £10 and unlimited texts and 1GB data for £15.

Compare that to my existing tariff the 'Daily Bonus' which Virgin no longer sell to new customers which is:

16p per minute to all networks, which includes 5 free minutes per day after 5 mins of calls and 5 free texts per day (using the same principle as calls).

On the other hand, the 30p for 25MB a day and £5 data bundle for 1GB is competitive and on offer on all of the legacy tariffs and Addict.

Emmersonne · 29-05-2011, 18:04

Sounds like they're trying to push everyone towards contracts.

Martin Phillp · 29-05-2011, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emmersonne

Sounds like they're trying to push everyone towards contracts.

It's a shame as the original Branson company went for simplistic PAYG and contract tariffs that didn't mind boggle which won me as a customer.

Obviously to compete, the rebranded NTL/Telewest company which bought Virgin Mobile have had to compete with the main networks with inclusive airtime/data contracts.

However, the low cost PAYG tariffs should be kept to compete with the lower end MVNO's such as Tesco, Asda and Family Mobile.

paulhgc · 29-05-2011, 22:02

£10 on gifgaf gets you 250 minutes unlimited internet and unlimited texts

John Malkovich · 29-05-2011, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Phillp

It's a shame as the original Branson company went for simplistic PAYG and contract tariffs that didn't mind boggle which won me as a customer.

I remember that.

All calls were 15p for the first 5 minutes and 5p for the rest of the day. Texts were 10p, WAP 10p and voicemail was free.

The tariff was refreshing given that most other networks were charging on average 35p a minute for peak time calls and 50p a minute to calls on other networks.

arm1 · 29-05-2011, 22:10

Their call charges used to be one of the best, 10p per minute but as you say are now 26p.
Two advantages still with virgin appears to be:

- £5 for 1GB data
- Number/Sim/top up never expires. ( ie most sims, giffgaff included, if you dont make a outgoing call every X date your number/sim expires.

paulhgc · 30-05-2011, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by arm1

Their call charges used to be one of the best, 10p per minute but as you say are now 26p.
Two advantages still with virgin appears to be:

- £5 for 1GB data
- Number/Sim/top up never expires. ( ie most sims, giffgaff included, if you dont make a outgoing call every X date your number/sim expires.

virgin are not at the races anymore with mobiles

Martin Phillp · 30-05-2011, 01:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Malkovich

I remember that.

All calls were 15p for the first 5 minutes and 5p for the rest of the day. Texts were 10p, WAP 10p and voicemail was free.

The tariff was refreshing given that most other networks were charging on average 35p a minute for peak time calls and 50p a minute to calls on other networks.

My mother is still on that tariff which is now called 'Original Pay as You Go' which is now:

21p for the first 5 mins, then 6p there after to landlines.

VM to VM is 21p for the first 5 mins, then free there after.

Other networks are 41p per min.

Texts are 12p or 3p to VM handsets.

Voicemail is still free to Original and Daily Bonus tariff customers as long as there is credit on the SIM.

The original contract is now called Pay by Direct Debit and in summary is 21p to landlines and VM handsets, 36p to other networks and texts are 13p/4p.

TheBigM · 30-05-2011, 07:54

I think they are mainly targeting their cable customers with deals where calls from the landline to virgin mobiles and vice versa are free.

Martin Phillp · 30-05-2011, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigM

I think they are mainly targeting their cable customers with deals where calls from the landline to virgin mobiles and vice versa are free.

They also offer a PAYG tariff for cable customers. 8p calls/4p texts.

neo_wales · 30-05-2011, 14:46

Giff Gaff offer far better PAYG deals than those mentioned here, good gosh I'm shocked how high prices are on Virgin. £10 a month gives me 250 minutes to any network/land line, unlimited texts and unlimited internet.

Martin Phillp · 30-05-2011, 15:21

The only positive about being on Virgin PAYG currently is they offer you £10 when you spend £100 towards a new handset via the VM shop online, this promotion is a legacy from the Branson era.

johnathome · 31-05-2011, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by arm1

- Number/Sim/top up never expires. ( ie most sims, giffgaff included, if you dont make a outgoing call every X date your number/sim expires.

Actually any usage of the sim on giffgaff will stop it expiring, you only need to receive a text every 6 months to stop it expiring, it doesn't have to be chargeable

Glomper · 01-06-2011, 02:16

GiffGaff, what a great suggestion.

I've registered, mainly for free 0800 numbers as I don't have a landline.

paulhgc · 01-06-2011, 14:40

Giffgaff are great never had any problems with them

29-05-2011, 17:56	#1
Martin Phillp Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Posts: 20,282	Are Virgin Mobile pricing themselves out of PAYG? When I lost my phone and asked for a replacement, Virgin CS wanted me to join their 'Addict' tariff which is 26p per minute on all networks which is surely one of the more expensive plans? Addict does offer 300 texts if you top up £10 and unlimited texts and 1GB data for £15. Compare that to my existing tariff the 'Daily Bonus' which Virgin no longer sell to new customers which is: 16p per minute to all networks, which includes 5 free minutes per day after 5 mins of calls and 5 free texts per day (using the same principle as calls). On the other hand, the 30p for 25MB a day and £5 data bundle for 1GB is competitive and on offer on all of the legacy tariffs and Addict.

29-05-2011, 18:04	#2
Emmersonne Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,445	Sounds like they're trying to push everyone towards contracts.

29-05-2011, 18:27	#3
Martin Phillp Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Posts: 20,282	Quote: Originally Posted by Emmersonne Sounds like they're trying to push everyone towards contracts. It's a shame as the original Branson company went for simplistic PAYG and contract tariffs that didn't mind boggle which won me as a customer. Obviously to compete, the rebranded NTL/Telewest company which bought Virgin Mobile have had to compete with the main networks with inclusive airtime/data contracts. However, the low cost PAYG tariffs should be kept to compete with the lower end MVNO's such as Tesco, Asda and Family Mobile.

29-05-2011, 22:02	#4
paulhgc Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 676	£10 on gifgaf gets you 250 minutes unlimited internet and unlimited texts

29-05-2011, 22:06	#5
John Malkovich Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 331	Quote: Originally Posted by Martin Phillp It's a shame as the original Branson company went for simplistic PAYG and contract tariffs that didn't mind boggle which won me as a customer. I remember that. All calls were 15p for the first 5 minutes and 5p for the rest of the day. Texts were 10p, WAP 10p and voicemail was free. The tariff was refreshing given that most other networks were charging on average 35p a minute for peak time calls and 50p a minute to calls on other networks.

29-05-2011, 22:10	#6
arm1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 74	Their call charges used to be one of the best, 10p per minute but as you say are now 26p. Two advantages still with virgin appears to be: - £5 for 1GB data - Number/Sim/top up never expires. ( ie most sims, giffgaff included, if you dont make a outgoing call every X date your number/sim expires.

30-05-2011, 01:05	#7
paulhgc Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 676	Quote: Originally Posted by arm1 Their call charges used to be one of the best, 10p per minute but as you say are now 26p. Two advantages still with virgin appears to be: - £5 for 1GB data - Number/Sim/top up never expires. ( ie most sims, giffgaff included, if you dont make a outgoing call every X date your number/sim expires. virgin are not at the races anymore with mobiles

30-05-2011, 01:55	#8
Martin Phillp Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Posts: 20,282	Quote: Originally Posted by John Malkovich I remember that. All calls were 15p for the first 5 minutes and 5p for the rest of the day. Texts were 10p, WAP 10p and voicemail was free. The tariff was refreshing given that most other networks were charging on average 35p a minute for peak time calls and 50p a minute to calls on other networks. My mother is still on that tariff which is now called 'Original Pay as You Go' which is now: 21p for the first 5 mins, then 6p there after to landlines. VM to VM is 21p for the first 5 mins, then free there after. Other networks are 41p per min. Texts are 12p or 3p to VM handsets. Voicemail is still free to Original and Daily Bonus tariff customers as long as there is credit on the SIM. The original contract is now called Pay by Direct Debit and in summary is 21p to landlines and VM handsets, 36p to other networks and texts are 13p/4p.

30-05-2011, 07:54	#9
TheBigM Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: moon Posts: 12,983	I think they are mainly targeting their cable customers with deals where calls from the landline to virgin mobiles and vice versa are free.

30-05-2011, 11:59	#10
Martin Phillp Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Posts: 20,282	Quote: Originally Posted by TheBigM I think they are mainly targeting their cable customers with deals where calls from the landline to virgin mobiles and vice versa are free. They also offer a PAYG tariff for cable customers. 8p calls/4p texts.

30-05-2011, 14:46	#11
neo_wales Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Wales/Gran Canaria Posts: 8,298	Giff Gaff offer far better PAYG deals than those mentioned here, good gosh I'm shocked how high prices are on Virgin. £10 a month gives me 250 minutes to any network/land line, unlimited texts and unlimited internet.

30-05-2011, 15:21	#12
Martin Phillp Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Posts: 20,282	The only positive about being on Virgin PAYG currently is they offer you £10 when you spend £100 towards a new handset via the VM shop online, this promotion is a legacy from the Branson era.

31-05-2011, 10:50	#13
johnathome Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pompey Posts: 1,068	Quote: Originally Posted by arm1 - Number/Sim/top up never expires. ( ie most sims, giffgaff included, if you dont make a outgoing call every X date your number/sim expires. Actually any usage of the sim on giffgaff will stop it expiring, you only need to receive a text every 6 months to stop it expiring, it doesn't have to be chargeable

01-06-2011, 02:16	#14
Glomper Guest Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,061	GiffGaff, what a great suggestion. I've registered, mainly for free 0800 numbers as I don't have a landline.

01-06-2011, 14:40	#15
paulhgc Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 676	Giffgaff are great never had any problems with them

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Are Virgin Mobile pricing themselves out of PAYG?