Could Virgin Mobile and O2 Broadband be back from the dead? Reports claim VMO2 plan resurrection of defunct brands
Could VMO2 be planning a return for Virgin Mobile and O2 Broadband?
VMO2, the joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica, is reportedly considering resurrecting its defunct brands Virgin Mobile and O2 Broadband, according to a report by The Times. The resuscitation of these brands could help VMO2 win back customers and investors as competition in the UK market becomes more intense. Virgin Mobile ceased operations in 2023 after being merged with O2, and its three million customers were transferred to the O2 network.
VMO2, which is currently overseen by former Pets at Home CEO Lyssa McGowan, has recently appointed two of her former colleagues to lead the O2 and Virgin Media brands. VMO2 already owns the lower-cost mobile brand GiffGaff, and a return to mobile services could lead to competition concerns or a rebranding of GiffGaff. A June 2026 report from ISPreview spotted a new O2 Broadband page on O2's website, advertising cheaper full fibre plans, but the page was quickly removed. Virgin Media O2 has not yet commented on the potential resurrection of its defunct brands.
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