Virgin Mobile criticises the Consumers' Association

Virgin Mobile believes that anything that invites consumers to look around for the best deal is a good thing, but that they should be cautious about relying on this website’s new tariff calculator.

The tariff calculator is over simplistic and fails to ask mobile customers some basic questions, such as when they use the phone (during the day, evenings or at weekends), and who they are calling (people on the same network or different network, or landline). The Consumer’s Association also fails to detail the assumptions used behind the tariff calculator.

Alison Bonny, press officer at Virgin Mobile said: “It is only sensible and simple advice to tell people to shop around. People visiting Which’s website could be seriously misled as to which deal is best for them. It is important that consumers check out the offers on the market relevant to their circumstances before buying, and they shouldn’t rely on over-simplistic, though well-intended, tariff calculators.

“Virgin Mobile, which has more than two million customers, has become the number one choice for switchers in Britain, who have been attracted by its no-nonsense proposition with no peak or off-peak times and no line rental or contract to sign however you choose to pay.”