1. Providers
2. Virgin Media
3. Contract & Billing

When you sign up for a new broadband deal, you are doing exactly that – signing a legal contract between you and Virgin Media, with responsibilities lying on both sides.

However, there is a lot of information stored in the small print, from additional fees and rights of cancellation to terms of acceptable use and general standards of service. In this guide we look at the details of a Virgin Media contract, including what to expect when it comes to your all-important monthly bill.

Package and pricing

Primarily, your broadband contract contains the essential information unique to you and what you have agreed to pay for, including your broadband speed, and a TV bundle and mobile deal if you chose to add one. It will also include the date your contract began, the date your minimum term will end, your current monthly fee, and what your new fee will be after your initial contract period finishes.

As well as this basic information, the contract also contains a whole host of terms and conditions, including legal limitations, any additional fees you may be subject to, credit check requirements and information on how to complain or request compensation.

Contract length

Virgin Media’s broadband and TV contracts are either for 18 months or 24 months depending on the package you choose. Virgin implements annual price rises and your price will also rise at the end of your fixed term. If you decide to cancel your contract before the minimum term, you will be charged termination fees.

If Virgin makes changes to your contract mid-term, such as introducing a price rise, it is obliged to give you advance notice that gives you the opportunity to cancel without incurring any fees. You should give 30 days’ notice if you intend to cancel your broadband service at any time.

Equipment

When you first sign up with Virgin Media you will be supplied with all the equipment you need on an agreed date. This is likely to include a Virgin Media Hub router and a TV 360 box if you have ordered a broadband and TV bundle. Be mindful that the equipment is loaned to you – it does not belong to you and you are not permitted to sell it at any point.

Virgin Media expects you to use and look after all its equipment properly and return it all if you cancel your contract. This includes both TV boxes and routers. Virgin will send you pre-paid packaging in which you can return these items.

If you do not return the equipment or it is not in a good condition, then you may be charged up to the full value of it. In some cases, Virgin may be able to collect it from you if you are unable to post it. If you return the equipment after you have been charged but within 80 days of terminating your contract, Virgin will refund you, and issue a cheque if your account is in credit.

Cancellation rights

If you decide that you want to cancel your contract with Virgin Media, you can do so without incurring any fees within the first 14 days. This is 14 days from receiving your contract, receiving the equipment, or your service start date – whichever is latest.

After that 14-day cooling-off period, if you decide you want to cancel before the minimum term of your initial contract is passed, then you will be charged termination fees. This is likely to be calculated in accordance with how many months you have left on your contract.

You are also entitled to cancel your service without penalty if you receive slower than 50% of your download speed for three consecutive days or more and Virgin cannot fix the problem within 30 days.

Virgin Media’s speeds are very fast and in many cases you are likely to receive an even higher speed than the one advertised. Virgin will quote you the speed you can expect at your home when you sign up. Virgin also guarantees a minimum download speed over wifi of 20Mbps in every room if you sign up for WiFi Max and Virgin’s WiFi Pods.

Moving house

If you find that you need to move house mid-contract, you can take your contract with you if Virgin Media services are available at your new address. You should give 30 days’ notice of your intention to move. If Virgin Media is not available, you may be expected to pay early disconnection fees. However, if the services are available but Virgin is unable to supply you for some reason, then you can cancel without penalty.

Fair and acceptable use

There are a number of behaviours that are deemed unacceptable for Virgin Media customers, which can result in Virgin terminating your service. These include illegal activities such as publishing or transmitting illegal material including images of child abuse, committing fraud, illegally downloading copyright material such as films and music, deliberating releasing viruses and other illegal software to cause damage, attacking the Virgin Media network in any way, or sending abusive or defamatory messages.

If you are found guilty of any of these behaviours, Virgin Media is entitled to suspend or terminate your service, or may contact the police or take legal action if necessary.

Rights of privacy

Virgin Media is obliged to protect your personal information but may use it in certain circumstances. This includes recording phone conversations you have with customer services, monitoring email and internet communications when required by the authorities, or if a suspicion exists that fraudulent or illegal activity is taking place.

Virgin Media does not collect data on a customer’s personal browsing or email correspondence, but it can give authorities access to that information if illegal activity is suspected.

Virgin Media billing

When you sign up with Virgin Media you will be asked for your bank details so that a direct debit payment system can be set up. Each month you will be billed for your services and the money will be taken directly from your bank account. If you do not wish to pay by direct debit you will be charged a handling fee. Alternative accepted methods of payment include cash, cheque, debit or credit card.

Once you set up your account online, you can view your monthly bill online. If you prefer to receive a paper bill you can request this in your online account, but you will be charged for it. You can expect to receive your first bill approximately 16 days after you sign up, by which time your service will be live. Your first month of service commences on the day your service goes live and you will be billed monthly on that date thereafter.

Late payment of bills

If you are more than 31 days late paying your monthly bill then you will be issued with a fine. Late payments will also affect your credit rating which could prove a problem getting credit elsewhere. If you continue to not pay your bills, Virgin Media will terminate your service.

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