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- Liberty Global and Telefónica have reached an agreement today which means Virgin Media is set to join forces with O2, combining the UK’s fastest broadband network and the country’s largest mobile platform.
www.virgin.com/about-virgin/latest/virgin-media-join-forces-o2
When did Virgin Media and O2 merge?Virgin Media and O2 joined forces in June 2021, creating the UK’s largest telecoms challenger with award-winning mobile services and the fastest widely available broadband in the market, all under one roof.
Jan 17, 2023 · The provider intends to have moved all existing and newly joined Virgin Mobile customers to O2 plans by the end of 2023. Virgin Mobile and O2 have committed to setting out exact details and the process to customers at least 30 days ahead of their migration.
May 7, 2020 · O2 and Virgin Media are merging to form BT-busting connectivity giant. Telefonica and Liberty Global have confirmed plans to merge UK operations, O2 and Virgin Media, to challenge the connectivity market leader BT.
Say hello to the new power couple: Virgin Media O2. With 47 million UK connections across broadband, mobile, TV and home phone, Virgin Media O2 will bring together next-generation gigabit broadband and 5G services.
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By Steve McCaskill
published 7 May 2020
O2's 4G and 5G network will be combined with Virgin Media's cable infrastructure
(Image credit: O2)
O2 and Virgin Media have announced a billion-pound mega merger to form a single UK communications giant capable of offering converged services that combine fixed and mobile connectivity.
The potential for converged services is significant, with Telefonica and Liberty Global promising to invest £10 billion over the next five years, while consolidation will also result in £6.2 billion in savings.
It is unclear whether one or both brands will be used by the combined entity, but it will be better placed to compete with BT, which has prioritised convergence in recent years with the acquisition of EE and investments in 5G and fibre infrastructure.
Although Virgin Media has a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) it has never had a mobile network. Similarly, O2 lacks a fixed network. Convergence will allow for the development of new consumer and businesses services that take advantage of multiple communications technologies.
“We are creating a strong competitor with significant scale and financial strength to invest in UK digital infrastructure and give millions of consumer, business and public sector customers more choice and value,” said Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete, Telefonica CEO. “ This is a proud and exciting moment for our organisations, as we create a leading integrated communications provider in the UK.”
“With Virgin Media and O2 together, the future of convergence is here today,” added Mike Fries, Liberty Global CEO. “We’ve seen the benefit of [Fixed Mobile Convergence] first-hand in Belgium and the Netherlands. When the power of 5G meets 1 gig broadband, U.K. consumers and businesses will never look back. We’re committed to this market and are right behind the Government’s digital and connectivity goals.”
Telefonica came close to selling O2 to Three’s parent company CK Hutchison in 2015. A £10.25 billion deal to merge the two operators was agreed but the European Commission blocked the move due to competition concerns. The combination of O2 and Three would have resulted in the creation of the UK’s largest mobile operator and reduced the number of players from four to three. This was unpalatable for the EC which feared innovation would decrease and prices would rise.
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May 20, 2021 · O2 and Virgin Media will complete their £31 billion merger by June 1 after the deal received final approval from UK competition authorities.
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1 day ago · Commenting on the move, Jeanie York, chief technology officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “The switch-on of our Converged Interconnect Network is a critical moment in our long-term strategy and ...
