Does Virgin share T Mobile's network?

A._Badger

Contrary to what I've read online (including on this forum) a Virgin rep has told me that Virgin does share the T Mobile/Orange joint network.

I need to be sure before switching from the increasingly awful O2 (in my local area) that I can use both Orange and T Mobile and Virgin's SIM only deal is better priced for my purposes.

Has anyone got a definitive answer, please?

adouglasmhor

WIKIPEDIA says

Main article: Virgin Mobile UK

Virgin Mobile UK is a mobile phone service provider operating in the United Kingdom. The company was the world's first Mobile Virtual Network Operator, launched in 1999. Being a virtual operator, Virgin Mobile does not maintain its own network, and instead has contracts to use the existing network of Everything Everywhere. Virgin Mobile was bought by NTL: Telewest on the 4 April 2006 before joining the quadplay of Virgin Media services when NTL: Telewest rebranded into Virgin Media on 9 February 2007, with a new logo in-line with Virgin Media.

Initially, Virgin Mobile in the UK used the network coverage of Mobile Operator T-Mobile and have been doing so since their establishment, however when T-Mobile and Orange UK merged to form the new brand "Everything Everywhere". In Britain, customers can begin to take advantage of Orange's broadcasting signals in addition to those of T-Mobile from Autumn 2011.

A._Badger

It didn't occur to me to look on Wikipedia - thank you!

adouglasmhor

I might be able to use my phone now when I visit jura - without the 7 mile tab to Barnhill bothy.

grumbler

A._Badger wrote: »

...Virgin's SIM only deal is better priced for my purposes....

Chitter-Chatter (t-mobile) is worth checking too.

A._Badger

grumbler wrote: »

Chitter-Chatter (t-mobile) is worth checking too.

Thanks for the suggestion. It seems they, like T Mobile, charge for voicemail, which I use quite a lot. Virgin still seems the better deal for me.

coolesticeking

At the moment Virgin can still only use the T-Mobile Network side of things, you can't roam onto Orange/T-Mobile like Direct Orange & T-Mobile Customers can.

It is coming but when... Who knows!

mrsr

coolesticeking wrote: »

At the moment Virgin can still only use the T-Mobile Network side of things, you can't roam onto Orange/T-Mobile like Direct Orange & T-Mobile Customers can.

It is coming but when... Who knows!

This is correct the deals not done yet

A._Badger

coolesticeking wrote: »

At the moment Virgin can still only use the T-Mobile Network side of things, you can't roam onto Orange/T-Mobile like Direct Orange & T-Mobile Customers can.

It is coming but when... Who knows!

Doesn't this conflict with the quoted piece from Wikipdia above, or is there some subtlety in the wording that isn't obvious?

I'm getting more confused by the day.

StuHolmes

I have just left Virgin, partly for coverage reasons. They currently can only use the t-mobile network, retentions tried to persuade me to stay saying they would also be using the orange network 'soon'.

grumbler

Some discussion in another recent thread:

simax wrote: »

All the Orange/T-Mobile MVNO's have had national roaming added from yesterday, and anyone who opted out of the signal sharing have now been opted back in.

MVNO = Mobile Virtual Network Operator