EE, now owned by BT, will provide Virgin Media with access to its mobile network, the two telcos have announced.
The five-year Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement means Virgin Media will be able to grow its network faster, the company said, offering a robust infrastructure to ensure customers get the best service possible.
The agreement will cover all services - voice, data and SMS - although customers won't see any change because EE, now owned by BT, previously provided the network for Virgin Media to run its service anyway.
"This winning combination with EE will give Virgin Mobile even more control and firepower to deliver innovative services to the UK mobile market," Peter Kelly, managing director of Virgin Mobile, said. "Virgin Mobile customers want fast speeds, flexibility and plans packed full of data - we're going to continue to deliver."
Virgin Media was the UK's first MVNO when it launched in 1999 and through its partnership with EE (now owned by BT), has been able to maintain its position as one of the largest in the UK alongside the likes of low-cost network GiffGaff, TalkTalk and Tesco Mobile.
"This has proven a successful relationship for both parties for many years and, as we enter a period of further technological change in the mobile market, we are very pleased to renew and extend our 17 year old relationship," Gerry McQuade, CEO of wholesale and ventures at BT, said.
"As the largest wholesale provider of telecommunications services in Europe, BT values the economy of scale that Virgin Media brings to our network," he concluded.
