Virgin Mobile IS One2One (Virgin Mobile in general)

Member Name: as2101

Product:	Virgin Mobile in general
Date:	17/04/01 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap calls, good phones

Disadvantages: No inclusive calls, messages etc., WAP calls are 15p a min for 1st 5 min a day! Virgin Mobile is basically 121

As loads of people have said there are many similarities between Virgin Mobile and One2One, not only that they use the same network. However, I think I'm right in saying that this is not surprising, Deutche Telekom (aka. 121) and Branson actaually both were involved in Virgin Mobile- not to create a new company, but just to create a 121 PAYG alta-ego. Basically, Virgin goes for the younger end of the market. One2One counts Virgin's customer's as it's own (I think, correct me if I'm wrong). Anyway, I'm not saying this is necessarly a bad thing, just you should bear it in mind before comparing services.

So is it any good?
Well for network performance, see my 121 review! I've heard customer service is good though, which would fit because 121 customer service is also very good.

Phones.
Virgin's phones are great value, especially in light of the new price increases- much better than standard 121 here, the range is also good. The free insurance is unbeatable.

Tariff.
Calls are good value at 15ppm for 1st 5 min, 5p thereafter (every day).
Voicemail is free.
Text messages are 10p each, none inclusive like with Orange Outhere though :(
Virgin Extras are quite good, though I've had no experience of them lately. They sound good anyway; but on the other hand- are they just expensive gimmicks?

Overall, Virgin Mobile provides a good service- and the tariffs and phones are perhaps a little better than with 121 standard. But that's where the differences end...

Summary: