MSE News: O2 and Virgin Mobile to hike mobile prices by up to 17.3%

MSE_Petar

Millions of O2 and Virgin Mobile customers will be hit with price hikes of up to 17.3% in April, the mobile providers' parent company has confirmed.

Read the full story:
'O2 and Virgin Mobile to hike mobile prices by up to 17.3% – here's what you need to know'

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MrSpicy

Checking my contract, it doesn't make any distinction between the handset & service cost. It simply says the entire monthly cost if subject to RPI+3.9% increase. It doesn't anywhere detail any breakdown of that cost for the phone and the service.

MSE_Petar

MrSpicy said:

Checking my contract, it doesn't make any distinction between the handset & service cost. It simply says the entire monthly cost if subject to RPI+3.9% increase. It doesn't anywhere detail any breakdown of that cost for the phone and the service.

Hi @MrSpicy

Thanks for this - I've sent you a direct message asking for some more details so we can look into this.

Best,
MSE Petar

MSE_Petar

@MrSpicy

Just to follow up on this, having checked with O2, it has now clarified that only those on its 'O2 Refresh' plans (or Virgin Mobile's equivalent 'Freestyle' plans) have separate device and airtime plans. Unfortunately this means those on other tariffs will see the price increase applied to their whole bill.

We've updated the story to clarify this point - many thanks for flagging it.

SaverRate

Is there a cut off for the price increase? My grandparents signed up to a new Virgin Media deal which included an o2 sim. Will they get the price increase on the o2 sim?

Glad I moved their other phone over to Lebara now! 

englebert_2

I have just received the notification text from virgin mobile. I have to say they have gone all in going for the higher RPI. I will vote with my feet as I am nearing the end of my contract.It is beyond me why they think it is acceptable.

SaverRate

Anyone wanting to move please look at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheap-mobile-finder/ or the Uswitch equivalent for new deals 

Chilleddevil1

We were with Giffgaff on £10 per months for 15gb I swapped to O2 £8 per month (20gb) and factored in the increase (I guessed at 15% increase) so I'm still better off. Will change again once my 12 months is up. I do like the network speed which is better than giff gaff. I can actually get 5g internet in the middle of Manchester!

ididgetwhereiamtoday

Giff gaff run off O2. 

SaverRate

Chilleddevil1 said:

We were with Giffgaff on £10 per months for 15gb I swapped to O2 £8 per month (20gb) and factored in the increase (I guessed at 15% increase) so I'm still better off. Will change again once my 12 months is up. I do like the network speed which is better than giff gaff. I can actually get 5g internet in the middle of Manchester!

o2 is 17.3% increase making your monthly cost roughly £9.39 per month.

You could switch to Lycamobile (o2 network) 15GB a month for £3.50 for the first 6 months then £8.50 a month. 

or take a new contract with Virgin Mobile (o2 network) 15GB a month for £7 a month on a rolling 1 month contract. You will be switched to o2 at some point think they are doubling peoples data when the switch happens. 

or ID Mobile (3 network) 15GB on 12 month contract for £8 a month and £40 giftcard reward. 
or ID Mobile (3 network) 20GB 1 month rolling contract £7 a month. 

charlieboy_80

I’m a teacher. I got 5%. Are the folks at O2 paying their employees 17% more, or is this extra pride hike going into CEO pockets? Absolute scumbags.