Virgin Media uses 'legal and practical obstacles' to discourage switching, court told

In its proceedings, Comreg says there is only one way Virgin Media customers are told they could cancel — by ringing the internet and TV service provider's 1908 number

Opening Comreg's case, Paul Sreenan SC said if a Virgin customer contacts a competitor about possibly switching, they are forced to go through a process where most are persuaded to stay with Virgin through a deal. File picture

One of the biggest internet and TV service providers, Virgin Media, should not be allowed to disincentivize customers from switching to a competitor with legal, technical and practical obstacles, the High Court heard.

Telecoms regulator, Comreg, has brought proceedings against Virgin, which opened on Tuesday, alleging non-compliance with Universal Service Regulations because it says Virgin’s process for switching acts as a disincentive. Virgin is opposing the proceedings.