Virgin Media is trying to force customers using their 50Mb Broadband package to sign up to a new contract, by refusing to fix problems with their internet connection if they don’t. For years Virgin 50 Mb customers have have been subjected to intermittent connectivity problems, only to be told by Virgin engineers sent out to fix the problem that there was a “fault” with their broadband hub. A fault that could only be fixed by being signed up to Virgin’s more expensive 152Mb Broadband package…

For customers who didn’t fall for this wheeze, Virgin are trying out a new tactic: blackmail.

I hope you are well; I have just tried to contact you via phone but could not get through. We are currently giving all our 50Mb Broadband customers a very quick courtesy call as we are aware we have a fault with our 50Mb Broadband. To reduce any risk of having any issues for you in the future, we are offering you a free upgrade to 152Mb broadband with no change in your monthly rental what so ever, simply starting a new contract term. This would mean we could get the hub changed over for you, giving you an up to date and faster speed. Kind Regards, Tom Cudworth | Account Manager

Virgin Media Business | Campaign & Customer Value Management ) 020 3706 2535

* tom.cudworth@virginmedia.co.uk

Virgin is, in essence, telling customers who have paid them for a broadband connection, that they can’t have a functioning broadband connection unless they shackle themselves into a new long term contract. When asked why they were requiring a new contract to be signed in order to fix a fault, a Virgin Media spokesman admitted to Techno that “maybe something hasn’t been done quite as it should have“. Quite…

UPDATE: As a result of this publicity the customer concerned is getting the upgrade without any contract strings. A Virgin Media spokesperson admitted: “In this case, the wrong procedures were followed and we have apologised to the affected customer for the confusion this has caused.” Not sure what this means for other customers with faulty 50mb broadband services…