Virgin Media Business is a prominent provider of telecommunication solutions, offering a range of phone services specifically designed for UK businesses. From small businesses to larger enterprises, Virgin Media Business caters to different needs with flexible, scalable options. In this review, we will outline the key products, associated pricing, and the pros and cons to help you decide if Virgin Media phone solutions are right for your business.
Key phone solutions offered by Virgin Media Business
| Product | Price (ex VAT) | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Landline | From £18.95/month | Unlimited UK calls, call divert, freephone numbers | Reliable, traditional phone system, unlimited calls | Less flexibility compared to VoIP |
| VoIP Solutions | From £15/month | Advanced call management, mobile app, voicemail to email, call recording | Cost-effective, flexibility, supports remote working | May require IT support for setup |
| SIP Trunking | From £9 per channel/month | Scalable channels, disaster recovery, internet-based calling | Scalable, cost savings, high-quality calls | Best suited for medium/large businesses |
| Business Mobile | From £8/month (SIM-only) | Unlimited calls/texts, 5G data, data pooling | Flexible mobile options, good for remote work | Mobile coverage may vary in some rural areas |
Business landline services
Virgin Media Business offers landline packages that are ideal for companies that rely on a traditional phone service. This solution includes reliable call quality and the ability to manage inbound and outbound calls effectively.
- Price: Starts from £18.95 per month (ex VAT).
- Key features:
- Unlimited UK calls to local, national, and mobile numbers
- Caller display and call divert
- Freephone numbers for businesses
VoIP (Voice over IP) solutions
VoIP is becoming an increasingly popular solution for businesses looking to streamline their communication through internet-based services. Virgin Media Business offers VoIP phone systems that allow businesses to make calls over the internet, saving on costs and providing greater flexibility.
- Price: Pricing for VoIP services starts from £15 per month (ex VAT), with additional costs depending on the number of users and extra features.
- Key features:
- Advanced call management
- Mobile app for remote working
- Call forwarding, voicemail to email, and call recording
SIP Trunking
SIP Trunking is an advanced communication solution for businesses that want to connect their existing PBX system to the internet. It offers a reliable and cost-effective way to manage a large number of calls without the need for traditional phone lines.
- Price: Starting from £9 per channel, per month (ex VAT).
- Key features:
- Scalable to fit business needs
- High-quality call connections
- Disaster recovery features included
Business mobile phone services
Virgin Media Business also offers mobile plans tailored for businesses, enabling teams to stay connected even when they are on the go. These packages include both SIM-only and handset deals, offering flexibility depending on your business requirements.
- Price: SIM-only plans start from £8 per month (ex VAT), while handset deals vary based on the device.
- Key features:
- Unlimited calls and texts
- 5G data options
- Ability to pool data between devices
Pros of Virgin Media Business phone solutions
- Comprehensive range of services
Virgin Media Business offers a broad spectrum of phone services, from traditional landlines to cutting-edge VoIP and SIP Trunking. This ensures that businesses of all sizes and industries can find a suitable solution. - Scalability
Whether you’re a small business looking for basic phone services or a larger organisation in need of a complex communication system, Virgin Media’s solutions are scalable, allowing for growth without disruption. - Cost savings with VoIP and SIP Trunking
For businesses looking to lower their communication costs, VoIP and SIP Trunking offer substantial savings by eliminating the need for traditional phone lines and using the internet for calls. - Reliable network infrastructure
As part of the larger Virgin Media network, Virgin Media Business benefits from a robust infrastructure that provides high-quality, dependable services with minimal downtime. - Integration with other Virgin Media Business products
If your business is already using Virgin Media Business broadband or other services, integrating phone solutions is seamless, ensuring consistent service and potential savings on bundled services.
Cons of Virgin Media Business phone solutions
- Limited customisation for smaller businesses
Some of the more advanced features, particularly with VoIP and SIP Trunking, may not be fully customisable for smaller businesses. These solutions are better suited to medium or larger enterprises with dedicated IT resources. - Pricing transparency
While basic pricing is available, additional costs for add-ons, extra features, or high usage can make the overall price less predictable. It’s important to check the full costs before committing. - Contract commitments
Virgin Media Business often requires a long-term contract, typically 12 to 24 months. For businesses that prefer more flexible month-to-month options, this may be a downside. - Service availability
While Virgin Media Business has an extensive network, there are still some areas of the UK where full coverage is not available, especially for mobile and 5G services. Businesses in rural areas may find that services like SIP Trunking or high-speed mobile data are not as reliable.
Getting the best prices
When considering Virgin Media Business phone solutions, it’s essential to understand the full scope of costs involved beyond the advertised prices. While the base prices for services like landlines, VoIP, and SIP Trunking may appear competitive, additional charges can accumulate depending on usage, extra features, and contractual terms. Below is a breakdown of potential hidden fees, available discounts, and tips for securing the best deals.
Hidden fees
- Installation fees
For some services, particularly landlines and SIP Trunking, there may be one-off installation fees, which can increase your upfront costs. These are typically disclosed during the setup process, but it’s worth confirming any installation charges in advance. - Add-ons and extra features
While basic features like call management and voicemail may be included, more advanced features such as call recording, analytics tools, or premium business numbers (e.g., 0800 numbers) often come at an extra cost. Depending on your usage, these add-ons can increase monthly bills significantly. - Exceeding usage limits
Virgin Media Business’s landline and mobile packages usually come with limits, such as call minutes or data usage. If your business exceeds these limits, you could face additional charges. It’s important to monitor your usage to avoid unexpected costs. - Contract termination fees
If your business decides to cancel the contract early, Virgin Media Business may charge early termination fees, which can be substantial. These fees are typically calculated based on the remaining months in your contract, so it’s crucial to review the terms carefully before signing.
Discounts and promotions
- Bundle discounts
Virgin Media Business often offers discounts when you bundle multiple services, such as combining business broadband with phone solutions. If your business also needs broadband, it’s worth considering a package deal to reduce costs. Bundled services are usually more cost-effective than purchasing each service individually. - Multi-line or multi-channel discounts
For businesses with multiple phone lines or SIP channels, Virgin Media Business may offer discounts based on volume. The more lines or channels you add, the lower the per-line cost may become. This can be particularly beneficial for medium to large businesses that need multiple communication points. - Seasonal promotions
Virgin Media Business frequently runs promotions during certain times of the year, offering reduced prices on specific services, especially for new customers. Signing up during these periods can result in significant savings. - Loyalty discounts
Long-term customers of Virgin Media Business may qualify for loyalty discounts or incentives when renewing contracts. These can include reduced monthly rates, free upgrades, or waived fees for installation and setup.
Tips for getting the best prices
- Negotiate the terms
Like many business service providers, Virgin Media Business may be open to negotiation, especially for businesses that are committing to long-term contracts or larger service bundles. It’s always worth asking about available discounts or requesting better terms, particularly if you have quotes from competitors. - Assess your actual needs
One way to avoid unnecessary costs is by accurately assessing your business’s communication needs. For example, if your business doesn’t need all the features that come with an advanced VoIP plan, opting for a more basic package can save money. Similarly, ensuring you choose the right data and call limits for mobile plans can help avoid excess usage charges. - Review and monitor usage
Virgin Media Business offers usage reports that can help you monitor your communication activity. Regularly reviewing these reports allows you to identify patterns in your usage, helping you adjust plans or services to avoid paying for features or capacity you don’t use. - Shop around and compare providers
Before committing to Virgin Media Business, it’s advisable to compare offers from other providers in the market. Competitors may offer better rates or promotional deals that Virgin Media can match or beat. Being informed about other options gives you leverage when negotiating prices or securing discounts.
Conclusion – Virgin Media business pricing review
Virgin Media Business offers a solid range of phone solutions for businesses of all sizes, combining flexibility with advanced features such as VoIP and SIP Trunking. Their services are scalable, reliable, and cost-effective, particularly for medium to large businesses with more complex communication needs.
However, smaller businesses may find some limitations in customisation and the commitment to long-term contracts. Overall, Virgin Media Business remains a strong contender in the business telecommunication sector, providing solutions that can grow alongside your business.
For businesses that are looking for a trusted provider with a broad selection of options, Virgin Media Business is worth considering.
FAQ – Virgin Media Business pricing
Virgin Media Business landline services start from £18.95 per month (excluding VAT). This includes unlimited UK calls to local, national, and mobile numbers. Additional features like call divert and freephone numbers may incur extra charges depending on your chosen plan.
Yes, there can be one-time installation fees for certain services, such as landlines or SIP Trunking. The cost varies depending on the complexity of the installation and your location, so it’s essential to confirm these fees during the initial consultation.
Virgin Media Business VoIP starts from £15 per month (excluding VAT). However, the total cost depends on the number of users and any additional features, such as call recording or advanced analytics, which may incur extra fees.
Yes, Virgin Media Business offers various discounts, including bundle deals for combining broadband and phone services. Businesses can also benefit from multi-line or multi-channel discounts, particularly if they need a large number of phone lines or SIP Trunk channels.
Hidden fees can include charges for exceeding call or data limits, advanced features, or early contract termination. It’s important to review all terms and conditions carefully to avoid surprises and monitor your usage regularly to prevent excess charges.
Yes, Virgin Media Business typically charges early termination fees if you cancel before the contract ends. These fees are usually calculated based on the remaining months in your contract, so it’s crucial to review the terms before signing.
Virgin Media Business is open to negotiating custom pricing plans, especially for businesses with complex or high-volume needs. You can discuss tailored solutions based on your company’s specific requirements, which might include discounts or additional features.
To avoid extra costs, carefully assess your business needs and choose the appropriate plan. Regularly review usage reports, ensure you stay within call or data limits, and opt for add-ons only if they are necessary for your operations.
Yes, Virgin Media Business often runs seasonal promotions that reduce prices for new customers or specific services. These deals typically occur around key business periods, so it’s worth checking for offers when considering switching providers.
No, Virgin Media Business prices are usually quoted excluding VAT. When calculating total costs, you need to add VAT at the current rate, which applies to all business services, including phone solutions and installation fees.