Virgin Mobile SIM Only Deals

Virgin Mobile have a range of SIM Only deals, ranging from 2GB to unlimited data, with 12 or 24 month contract options.

With Roam Like Home, you'll get free EU roaming, allowing you to use your regular allowance as normal.

You'll also get a range of other benefits, including 5G ready SIMs, access to 3.5 million Wi-Fi hotspots, and unlimited data with Whatsapp and other messaging apps.

Can I get unlimited data with a Virgin Mobile SIM?

Yes, you can get a Virgin Mobile SIM with a 12 or 24 month contract, starting from just £25 per month.

However, in accordance with Virgin Mobile’s fair usage policy, you won’t get unlimited data when roaming in the EU. Instead, you will be restricted between 10-15GB, depending on the cost of your plan.

Can I use my Virgin Mobile SIM abroad?

All Virgin Mobile SIMs include Roam Like Home, which allows you to use your data, minutes and texts in the EU at no additional cost.

For countries outside the EU, you won’t be able to use your regular allowances. Instead, you will be charged at and out of plan rate for the services you use.

For more information, see Virgin Mobile roaming.

Can I get 5G with a Virgin Mobile SIM?

Yes, all Virgin Mobile SIMs include 5G connectivity for free. However, to experience 5G speeds, you must have a 5G compatible phone.

Currently, Virgin Mobile claims to have 5G coverage in over 100 towns and cities across the UK, with more locations to be added throughout 2022:

1. Aberdeen
2. Alexandria
3. Ambleside
4. Aughton (Sth Yorks)
5. Basingstoke
6. Bebington
7. Belfast
8. Birkenhead
9. Birmingham
10. Bishopbriggs
11. Blaydon
12. Bolton
13. Bootle
14. Bournemouth
15. Bradford
16. Bristol
17. Bristol Airport
18. Cardiff
19. Cheadle and Gatley
20. Cheltenham
21. Chesterfield
22. Clydebank
23. Crawley (West Sussex)
24. Crosby
25. Dewsbury
26. Dinas Powys
27. Droylsden
28. Dudley (West Midlands)
29. Dundee
30. Eccles
31. Edinburgh
32. Eston and South Bank
33. Felling
34. Gateshead
35. Glasgow
36. Gloucester
37. Gosforth (Tyne & Wear)
38. Guildford
39. Hebburn
40. Helensburgh
41. Horwich
42. Huddersfield
43. Huyton-with-Roby
44. Inner London
45. Isles of Scilly
46. Jarrow
47. Kingston upon Hull
48. Kingswood (Bristol)
49. Lancaster
50. Leeds
51. Lisburn
52. Liverpool
53. Llandudno
54. Long Benton/Killingworth
55. Manchester
56. Mangotsfield
57. Middlesbrough
58. Morley
59. Mosborough/Highlane
60. Newbury
61. Newcastle upon Tyne
62. Newtownabbey
63. North Shields
64. Oldbury/Smethwick
65. Outer London
66. Paisley
67. Penarth
68. Plymouth
69. Portsmouth
70. Prescot
71. Prestwich
72. Pudsey
73. Rawmarsh
74. Reading
75. Rochdale
76. Rotherham
77. Salford
78. Sheffield
79. Shipley
80. Solihull
81. South Shields
82. Southampton
83. Stockport
84. Stockton-on-Tees
85. Stoke-on-Trent
86. Stranraer
87. Stretford
88. Sunderland
89. Sutton Coldfield
90. Swansea
91. Swinton and Pendlebury
92. Tynemouth
93. Urmston
94. Wallasey
95. Wallsend
96. Warrington
97. Washington
98. Whitley Bay
99. Wolverhampton
100. York

Can I get a Virgin Mobile SIM if I have a bad credit rating?

If you have a bad credit rating, you’re unlikely to be accepted for a Virgin Mobile contract.

Currently, Virgin Mobile only offer long term contracts for SIMs, including 12 and 24 months.

If you have a bad credit, we suggest you look for a SIM deal with a 1 month / 30 day plan.

Do I need to unlock my phone to use a Virgin Mobile SIM?

If you bought your phone from Virgin Mobile, or it originally came with a Virgin Mobile SIM, then you shouldn’t need to unlock your phone in order to use a Virgin Mobile SIM.

Since December 2021, it is illegal for any network to sell a mobile phone that is locked to a specific network.

If you bought your phone before this date, it may be locked to your current network. If you’re unsure if your phone is unlocked, simply insert a SIM from a different network - if your phone is locked, an error message will be shown.

All providers must unlock your phone for free. You will need to contact your current network to do this. They will ask for your IMEI number, which you can obtain by dialling *#06# from your phone.

What size SIM cards can I get with Virgin Mobile?

Virgin Mobile offer all SIM card sizes. You will be sent a standard SIM card size, which will have cutouts that can be broken down to a micro SIM or nano SIM.

1. Standard - the largest SIM card size, which is generally used with older non-smartphones. Newer phones are likely to use micro or nano SIMs.

2. Micro - Once considered a smaller replacement for standard SIMs, micro SIMs are less prevalent today, being replaced by the even smaller nano SIM. Older smartphones or budget phones may still use a micro SIM.

3. Nano - The smallest and most common SIM card size used in phones sold today. Used by the newer iPhones and Samsungs.

Can I switch from my current network to a Virgin Mobile SIM?

Yes, it’s easy to switch to Virgin Mobile. From your current network, text PAC to 65075 for free. You will receive a reply text within 5 minutes, which will contain your PAC code.

You will need to give this PAC code to Virgin Mobile. You can do this at the time of purchase, or by contacting Virgin Mobile after you have received your Virgin Mobile SIM card.

After you have given your PAC code to Virgin Mobile, they will begin the switch on your behalf, which normally takes 3 working days. Once the switch has completed, you will lose signal with your current network. When this happens, you can insert your Virgin Mobile SIM to complete the switching process.

For more information, see transferring your phone number to a new network.

Does Virgin Mobile have good coverage?

Virgin Mobile currently uses Vodafone’s network for coverage.

However, following the merger between O2 and Virgin Mobile in 2021 to create Virgin Media O2 (VMED O2 UK Limited), Virgin Mobile have cancelled their agreement with Vodafone, and are expected to wholly use O2’s network from late 2022.

If you’re a Virgin Mobile customer, you will currently receive the same great coverage as Vodafone, which covers over 99% of the UK population. From late 2022, Virgin Mobile will switch entirely to O2, which is equally a great network, offering near identical coverage and speeds. You won't need to do anything when the switch occurs.

To check your expected signal from your current location, you can enter your postcode into Virgin Mobile’s coverage checker, where you will be shown a breakdown of the signal strength and signal type that you will receive.

Is Virgin Mobile a fast network?

Currently, Virgin Mobile uses the same fast network as Vodafone, but are expected to switch to O2’s network in late 2022.

According to OpenSignal’s September 2021 report, Vodafone ranked 3rd for fastest speeds, with average download speeds of 21.6 Mbps and average upload speeds of 7.4 Mbps.

Once switched to O2 in late 2022, you expect fairly similar results, with average download speeds of 17.1 Mbps and average upload speeds of 5.4 Mbps.

Both Vodafone and O2 have excellent 5G networks, with extensive coverage and planned investment to eventually match 4G coverage.

How reliable is Virgin Mobile?

Virgin Mobile is regarded as a very reliable network, currently using both Vodafone and O2’s network for coverage.

In recent years, Virgin Mobile has not suffered from any major outages. The most recent outage occurred in May 2019, where thousands of customers across the UK were unable to make calls or use their mobile internet. Virgin Mobile were quick to resolve the connectivity issues, with normal service resumed within a few hours.

Does Virgin Mobile have good customer service?

Virgin Mobile have fairly good customer service, with UK and international call centres that are open 7 days a week.

• Call 150 from a Virgin Mobile number
• Call 0345 454 1111 from any other number

Virgin Mobile call centres are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 9pm, Saturday from 8am to 8pm and Sunday from 8am to 6pm.

According to Trustpilot, ​​Virgin Mobile currently have a very low rating at 1/5 stars. Many of the popular reviews highlight poor customer service.

Furthermore, in Ofcom’s most recent telecoms complaint data, Virgin Mobile received an average of 3 complaints per 100,000 customers, which is slightly higher than the average of 2 complaints.

Can I roam with Virgin Mobile?

All Virgin Mobile plans include Roam Like Home, which allows you to use your data, minutes and texts in the EU at no additional cost.

For countries outside the EU, you won’t be able to use your regular allowances. Instead, you will be charged at and out of plan rate for the services you use.

For more information, see Virgin Mobile roaming.

Virgin Mobile Data Rollover

With all Virgin Mobile plans, any unused data at the end of the month will rollover to the following month, giving you a second chance to use your allowances.

Data will only rollover for 1 month, after which it will be lost forever. It will not accumulate for consecutive months.

Your bill will show you how much data has been rolled over, as well as your regular data allowances. You can also view the rollover amount via the Virgin Mobile app.

The maximum amount of data you can rollover in a month is 100GB. Any promotional data or data add-ons will not rollover.

Unlimited data for WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Twitter

All Virgin Mobile customers will get free and unlimited data for messages, pictures and voice notes when using WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Twitter. Your regular data allowance won’t be used.

However, voice and video calls will not be included, and will consume your regular data allowance.

This offer is also available when roaming within the EU. However, any countries outside the EU will use your regular data.

Virgin Mobile free Wi-Fi hotspots

If you’re a Virgin Mobile customer, you’ll get access to over 3.5 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK, allowing you to save your data allowance. You’ll also have access to an additional 20 million hotspots when travelling internationally.

Virgin Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots are located in cafes, restaurants, airports, stations and other popular destinations.

Furthermore, you’ll even get free Wi-Fi at over 250 London Underground stations and 79 Overground stations.

You won’t need to sign up or login when connecting. All you need is the Virgin Media Connect app, which is available for Android and iOS.

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