Company Info – Jobs with us, press releases, Virgin Mobile in Australia since 2000

Try This On For Size - Virgin Mobile's New Pre-Paid Cap

22 October 2008 – Virgin Mobile Australia is today launching its first Pre-Paid cap as a $35 voucher that comes with $170 worth of credit. Perfect for consumers who aren't ready to commit but still want to get the benefits of a cap, the $35 voucher will be just the thing they're looking for.

The move is part of Virgin Mobile's aim to offer customers flexibility and increased value across its range of products. Pre-Paid caps are ideal for customers wanting to retain greater control of their mobile spending, particularly in light of the current economic climate. The Virgin Pre-Paid cap sets itself apart from competitors by offering free voicemail access and free Virgin-to-Virgin calls and texts.

Virgin Mobile Australia CEO, Peter Bithos said, "The introduction of Virgin Mobile's Pre-Paid cap is in line with our strategy to provide mobile solutions that suit the individual's needs. Our customer insights tell us that our customers are looking for a pre-paid mobile service that combines freedom with great value and unbeatable service. We are proud today to be able to offer our first pre-paid cap, and look forward to rolling out many more in the future to suit our individual customers needs."

The introduction of the Pre-Paid Virgin Mobile cap complements the already popular Free Virgin-to-Virgin offer, meaning customers now have even more ways to stay in touch with their mates as much as they like without costing them the earth.

Existing Virgin Mobile customers can pick up the $35 cap as a rechargeable voucher, while new customers need to activate a standard starter pack voucher and simply recharge this with the Pre-Paid cap.

Notes to Editors

  • $170 credit consists of $35 credit and $135 bonus credit. Bonus credit can only be used for standard voice calls, text, MMS, calls to 13 &18 numbers. Bonus credit cannot be used for special numbers, premium SMS and content (including Vibe). Bonus credit is used first for eligible calls and services.
  • All credit expires 30 days after recharge voucher is activated. Bonus credit will expire and will not roll over if you recharge with a different amount or move to a monthly account
  • Free Calls &Text: To Virgin Mobile numbers only. Fair Use Policy applies. Fees/Cancellation may apply for excessive use (over 2500 minutes and/or 3000 text per month).

For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jess Makin
One Green Bean
02 9699 9503 or 0416 292 912

Virgin Broadband - No Strings Attached

16 September 2008 - Virgin Broadband today announces its new Pre-paid Mobile Broadband service, offering customers flexibility, value and freedom for all their broadband needs. Adding Pre-paid Mobile Broadband to its already extensive broadband portfolio, which includes mobile broadband and broadband at home, Virgin Broadband now makes it even easier to use your broadband as much or as little as you like without being tied into any contracts or monthly fees.

Perfect for students or those in a shared household, it works in the same way that a pre-paid mobile phone works - you simply buy a voucher for your desired amount or use your credit card online to and top up again once you are ready. It's never been easier and with vouchers being available from over 18,000 locations Australia-wide, there really is no reason to ever run out of credit or spend more than you budgeted for.

Virgin Broadband's new CEO Peter Bithos commented, "We are so excited to be able offer our customers an even easier way to use their mobile broadband with the freedom of topping up whenever they like with whatever value they need. Here at Virgin Broadband we focus on our customers and what they want. Right now, they want broadband at great value, with flexibility, freedom and ease of use and we believe we have just the product for them."

Starter packs with modem and SIM are available for $179, or customers with their own modems or data cards can get connected with a $10 SIM starter pack. Both of these introductory packs come with 500MB of data and 30 days to use it, and with a wide range of vouchers available there is the right voucher for everyone.

Peter Bithos continued, "And if that wasn't enough, the launch of our new super stylish super slim dongle means that it's now even easier to be mobile. The size of an average USB stick, this sexy wireless modem simply slots into your computer and allows you to be up and running within minutes."

Virgin Broadband is available in Optus 3G/HSPA areas. See www.virginbroadband.com.au/coverage for details.

Notes to Editors

  • Data includes uploads & downloads & charged per byte
  • 10GB monthly limit, excess data rolls over to the next calendar month
  • Customers wishing to bring their own modem with them must check compatibility and coverage first
  • This is an introductory offer as and pricing may be subject to change

For more information, interviews or imagery, please contact:

Mollie O'Brien
Senior Account Manager
One Green Bean
P: 0404 847 018 		Amber Morris
PR Manager
Virgin Mobile Australia
P: 0403 999 821

Australia: a Nation Full of Sticky Beaks

  • 10% of young Australians have been involved in a breakup as a result of text-checking
  • 59% of text checkers check their partner's phone when they're in the shower
  • Women (38%) are more likely than men (28%) to check their partner's texts

Wednesday 27th August 2008 - 900,000 Australians have admitted to checking their partner's phones according to new research conducted by Virgin Mobile. The research has revealed that Australia is a nation of paranoid text checkers with over one in three young Australians admitting to checking their partner's text messages, and more than 280,000 having been being involved in a text-checking related break-up.

The research also reveals:

  • 76% of text checkers do so in secret
  • 73% of secret text checkers have found out things they later wished they hadn't
  • 44% of sneaky text checkers have discovered flirtatious or sexual texts, ranging from harmless flirtation (32%) to full blown sexual texts from someone else (19%)
  • The most common places text checkers operate is while their partner is in the shower (59%), whilst in the same room (41%) or on the toilet (35%)

With the aim of squashing the nation's obsession with text checking, Virgin Mobile introduces a new service for those customers concerned about their partner's snoopy tendencies. Customers can simply text the word 'snoop' to 1978 99 99 to have a text from 'SEXY' sent to their phone. When the text message is opened by a paranoid partner, the message will remind the checker to have trust in their loved one.

Author, relationship expert and text-checking guru, Samantha Brett says that text checking is rampant in relationships across the world;

"With so many modes of communication available these days, it's difficult to keep track of your partner's whereabouts or who they're chatting to and when, and what it all means. No wonder so many of us are checking our partner's texts! But there's reason to take note as Virgin Mobile's research proves that thousands of relationships are breaking down as a result of our text checking behaviour."

Virgin Mobile's sense of responsibility for text checkers Australia-wide began with the introduction of the 'All You Can Eat' offer, which allows customers to text and call Virgin to Virgin for free.

Amber Morris, PR Manager at Virgin Mobile says;

"Virgin Mobile couldn't believe the results of this research - in fact we were amazed so many of us are so snoopy! In a society when we very rarely let our mobile phones out of our sight, it's quite amazing to think that for a lot of us the minute we jump in the shower, someone might be checking up on us. To stop the average text checker in their tracks and hopefully make them think twice about what they are doing, we've launched the new text-checker service."

Brett continues, "Flirting is age old, but the fact that it can now be tracked on your phone makes a nervous partner a paranoid text-checker. If you suspect that your partner is up to something, keep the peace and talk about it. Text checking can turn into a vicious cycle, and the thing is, it can easily be avoided."

The new Virgin Mobile text checkers service - from the same people that brought you fantastic services such as DUI (dialling under the influence) and SOS* - will be launching later this week. Details can be found at www.virginmobile.com.au. Virgin Mobile encourages responsible texting.

Notes to editors:

Media Game quotes are available at www.mediagame.com.au

Research methodology:

  • This study was conducted online among members of a permission based panel
  • Respondents were mobile phone users aged 18-29 years
  • Research conducted by Galaxy Research in July 2008

The 'SEXY' text will read: "Gotcha! You appear to be snooping - shame on you. Now, put down the phone and step away - did you really think I would save a number in my phone saved under 'sexy'?"

* Virgin Mobile is well known for its quirky services for their customers, already including:

DUI

Don't dial Under the Influence! Incoherent calls to exes, bosses and partners could be a thing of the past as Virgin Mobile urges you to get tighter with the right posse. Dial 333 plus a phone number you don't want to call when drunk e.g. 333 0431 123456. Virgin Mobile then stops all calls to that number (e.g. 0431 123456) by blacklisting it until 6am the following morning from your phone. To undo the action in an emergency dial 333CLEAR (33325327).

SOS

Stuck in a disastrous date? Small talk and uncomfortable silences galore? Wish you were anywhere but there? Don't want to make a scene? Fear not - now you can dial 767 (SOS) and hang up without saying a word and then Virgin Mobile will call you back a minute later with a perfect excuse to get you out of there. We'll even talk you through what to say. The SOS RING™ is the perfect excuse to get out of that disastrous date without causing a scene.

For more information, additional statistics, state-by-state breakdowns or interview with Sam Brett or Virgin Mobile spokesperson, please contact:

Mollie O'Brien
Senior Account Manager
One Green Bean
P: 0404 847 018
E: mollie@onegreenbean.com.au

Amber Morris
PR Manager
Virgin Mobile Australia
P: 0403 999 821
E: amber.morris@virginmobile.com.au

VIRGIN MOBILE CEO
ANNOUNCES EARLY RETIREMENT

May 2, 2008: Virgin Mobile Australia today announces the early retirement of CEO, Matt Davey. After over a decade of working for the SingTel Group, Matt has decided to spend some quality time doing what he loves most - fishing.

Matt originally joined Optus in August 1996 as State Manager for Optus World, before eventually taking up the role as Deputy Managing Director of Mobile and Director of Small Business in 2003. He joined Virgin Mobile Australia as Chief Executive Officer in February 2006 and was behind the launch of one of Australia's most innovative launches, Virgin Broadband in July last year.

Many industry friends will know that Matt's passion for telcos has always been matched by his passion for fishing, so Matt's first retirement goal after he finishes with Virgin Mobile on 1 July will invariably be to net that record breaking marlin.

Matt Davey says:

"My time at Virgin Mobile has been nothing short of amazing and I have every confidence that Virgin will continue to build on its fantastic success story so far."

The role of CEO will be taken up by existing Virgin Mobile executive Peter Bithos, who is currently Director of Strategy and New Markets, a role he has held since 2006. Peter will step into the CEO role on 1 July.

Peter Bithos adds:

"While no one can ever replace Matt, I'm extremely excited about my new challenge. Under Matt's leadership, we've had phenomenal growth and an amazing transformation. I look forward to helping us all build on that success into the future."

Peter will report to Andrew Buay at Optus, who will have accountability for Virgin Mobile in addition to his Product and Delivery role.

VIRGIN MOBILE PROVES THAT
'THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE'

  • Virgin Mobile introduces 'FREE to V' Pre-Paid
  • Virgin Mobile brings back the art of conversation
  • Virgin Mobile talks it up this Summer

29 October 2007 Virgin Mobile today announces that it is bringing back the art of conversation by offering its pre-pay customers the chance to talk & text 'Virgin to Virgin' for FREE*. We literally couldn't make it any easier for you to stay in touch with your mates, catch up with old friends or make new ones!

In a bid to keep Australia one of the most social countries in the world, Virgin Mobile has smoothed the way to say 'G'day!' a whole lot more. This proposition should be absolutely irresistible to anyone who loves a chin-wag or is a text maniac. By purchasing a $29 recharge voucher*, a $19.95 starter kit or any pre-paid handset bundle sold with $5 credit included, Virgin Mobile customers can now talk & text Virgin to Virgin to their heart's content anytime, anywhere in Australia for FREE.

With the summer social scene ramping up already, what better time to take advantage of FREE calls & text Virgin to Virgin? Those balmy nights out on the town or lounging around will be even sweeter when you can tell share the experience with your friends.

Brand GM, Rich Field shares his support for the launch "We see our new 'FREE to V' proposition as a tool to re-connect with people. We live in an electronic age where email, messenger and pokes are standard, but we all know that these are poor substitutes for actually talking. This is bigger than just talking to friends and family, this is about talking to anyone on the Virgin network, anytime for FREE. Let's face it, with so many social networks, sometimes we forget to simply pick up the phone and ring, and with our new deal, why would you poke when you can ring for FREE?"

Virgin Mobile will be supporting this launch with an advertising and PR campaign, to be announced shortly.

New Pre-Paid Vouchers

VOUCHER
INC VALUE
FLAGFALL
CALLS/30SEC
TEXT
MMS
EX
$29
$29
0c V2V
25c other
V2V FREE
33c other
V2V FREE
25c other
V2V 25c
60c other
60 days
$19.95
Starter kit
$20
0c V2V
25c other
V2V FREE
35c other
V2V FREE
25c other
V2v 25C
60c other
30 days

Notes to Editors

*Calls are Virgin Mobile to Virgin Mobile. Fair use policy applies.
*$29 re-charge vouchers are available from the 1st November

Virgin Mobile Australia is a leading consumer focused mobile network with its headquarters in North Sydney and stores in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Virgin Mobile launched in October 2000 and was a joint venture between Optus and Virgin Management, in January 2006 Optus became the sole shareholder and Virgin Mobile was merged with Simplus.

Virgin Mobile Australia has continued to achieve strong growth and now has over 400,000 customers and is one of the most recognised brands globally, representing strong customer focus and good value for money being sold through more than 3500 outlets across Australia.

Believing that the broadband market in Australia was complicated and confusing, Virgin Mobile launched an Australian first, Virgin Broadband in July 2007. Offering a suite of Home Phone and Mobile Broadband packages delivered over the Virgin 3G HSDPA enabled network (3G network) and allowing customers to get one single bill for mobile and broadband packages, Virgin Broadband is well and truly shaking up the Australia broadband market as we know it.

Contacts:
Amber Morris
PR Manager
0403999821
amber.morris@virginmobile.com.au