Reports say Virgin Media O2 may revive Virgin Mobile and O2 Broadband

Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) is reportedly considering bringing back the Virgin Mobile and O2 Broadband brands, according to a report by The Times. The move could help the UK telecoms group win back customers as competition intensifies, the report says.

The report also links the possible relaunch to recent customer losses, a need to cut millions in costs and a backdrop of falling bond prices. VMO2 has not confirmed the plans. TechRadar Pro says it contacted the company for comment.

Virgin Mobile disappeared in 2023, two years after Virgin Media and O2 merged. Its 3 million customers were moved to O2’s network as part of the deal. VMO2 is co-owned by Liberty Global and Telefónica. It recently appointed former Pets at Home boss Lyssa McGowan to lead its consumer division. The Times reports that McGowan, previously Sky’s chief consumer officer, has appointed two former colleagues to lead the O2 and Virgin Media brands.

VMO2 already owns GiffGaff, which focuses on lower-cost mobile subscriptions. A return for Virgin Mobile could raise competition concerns or lead to GiffGaff being rebranded, the report suggests.

Separately, ISPreview reported seeing an O2 Broadband page on O2’s website in June 2026, advertising cheaper full-fibre plans. The page was quickly removed after ISPreview published its story.