Virgin Media O2 confirms it will not reintroduce roaming charges for UK customers in Europe

Virgin Media O2 has confirmed that it will not follow other UK mobile operators in reintroducing roaming fees in Europe, post-Brexit. The UK’s other three operators, EE, Three and Vodafone, have all said they will reintroduce roaming charges this year.

Confirming the move in a statement, Virgin Media O2 Chief Commercial Officer, Gareth Turpin, said: “With COVID still scuppering plans and disrupting day to day routines for so many, we’re starting the year by giving our customers some certainty.” 

The post also referenced a recent survey carried out by Virgin Media O2 that showed that despite the current environment, people have strong travel intentions this year. The study found that while the desire to travel is understandably lower in the early part of the year, by this summer the majority (75%) of Brits surveyed expect to travel abroad – and a majority expect to do so more this year than they did in 2021. The post then notes that a family of four using their phones every day on a two-week holiday could face around £100 or more of roaming charges if their operator levies them.

Turpin also stressed that the move is not a temporary measure. “We have no plans to introduce roaming fees and it’s our intention to keep it that way,” he wrote. “We do regularly review the things that our customers value and listen to their feedback, so if market sentiment changes and we need to reassess what we do in the future then we will do so, and of course we will always be open and transparent with our customers regarding any changes. However, we are confident that our customers will love inclusive roaming with O2 and Virgin Mobile.”