What does the Virgin Media O2 merger mean for your business?
It’s official. Virgin Media and O2 have joined forces in a 50-50 deal, putting them – or it – in a position to challenge BT and EE directly. But what will it mean for you, both personally and as a business?
Official Announcement
The merger was officially announced yesterday, with former Virgin Media and now Virgin Media O2 CEO Lutz Schüller outlining the vision:
“With the fastest broadband and most reliable mobile network in the UK today, Virgin Media O2 is the complete package. We are ready to shake up the market and be the competitor the country needs at a time when choice has never been more important. Through investment and innovation in cutting-edge infrastructure and future technology, we will connect more people to the things they love, support communities across the country, help businesses to grow, and power the UK economy.
“With no limit to our ambition, we’re here to upgrade the UK – and our mission starts today.”
With some 47 million broadband and mobile connections in the UK it’s likely the merger will affect many of Keeley Travis’ readers and customers. But how?
Choice
Initially its unlikely personal and business customers will see much change but we’re in no doubt that a wide range of new bundles, tariffs and plans will be launched in the near future. For example, combined TV, broadband and 5G packages for private customers and combined mobile, 5G and broadband deals for business customers.
The merger will allow O2 to once again offer fixed line broadband through the Virgin Media network having sold their non-mobile broadband business to Sky in 2013. Also watch out for Virgin Media switching their virtual mobile network services from Vodaphone to O2 – though this may not happen immediately as their current deal with Vodaphone, which has only just begun, runs until 2026.
There are likely to be additional services offered under the Virgin Media O2 Business banner too.
In short, what you’ll get as a business customer will be more choice. Keeley Travis will, of course, stay on top of this and when new packages become available we’ll try to get the best deals for you. In the meantime, find out what Keeley Travis can do for you now on your business mobile and business broadband services.
