UPDATE 1-UK regulator fines Virgin Media $37 million for preventing contract cancellations

Liberty Global Ltd. Class A
VOICE MOBILITY INTERNATIONAL INC

Liberty Global Ltd. Class A

LBTYA

0.00

VOICE MOBILITY INTERNATIONAL INC

VMII

0.00

Adds details and background throughout

- British media regulator Ofcom fined Virgin Media £28 million ($37.38 million) on Wednesday for repeatedly preventing customers from cancelling contracts over nearly a three-year period between 2022 and 2024.

Here are some details on the regulator's decision:

  • Ofcom said its probe into Virgin Media, a joint venture between Spain's Telefonica TEF.MC and Liberty Global LBTYA.O, uncovered systemic and repeated failings in the mobile operator's contract termination procedures.

  • "Investigation uncovers deliberate call-dropping tactics, excessive and unnecessary call transfers and putting customers repeatedly on hold for no reason," the watchdog said.

  • The issue lasted from January 2022 to about mid-September 2024.

  • Ofcom had imposed a £23.8 million fine on the firm in December for disconnecting telecare customers during its programme to migrate customers to digital landlines.

  • Virgin Media did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.

($1 = 0.7491 pounds)