Virgin Media has apologised after tens of thousands of customers across the UK experienced several broadband outages yesterday.
The first outage was reported in the earlier hours of yesterday (Tuesday 4 April) morning at around 2am, with the firm confirming just after 8am that it was “aware of an issue that is affecting broadband services” for both customers and contact centres.
It said teams were “currently working to identify and fix the problem as quickly as possible”.
This initial issue was resolved by around 11:30am, with Virgin Media assuring customers it was “closely monitoring the situation”.
We’re aware of an issue that is affecting broadband services for Virgin Media customers as well as our contact centres. Our teams are currently working to identify and fix the problem as quickly as possible and we apologise to those customers affected.
However, disruption was reported once again at 4pm by Downdetector – which is an online platform that provides users with real-time information about the status of their broadband services – and Virgin Media was forced to address the situation once again by explaining that engineers were “continuing to investigate”.
ADVERTISEMENT
With around 55,000 people thought to be affected by the outages nationwide, the company took to social media to “apologise for any inconvenience caused” while work to restore services was being carried out once again.
The company said its engineers were working “flat out” to resolve the issue.
ADVERTISEMENT
We’ve restored broadband services for customers but are closely monitoring the situation as our engineers continue to investigate. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Unfortunately we have seen a repeat of an earlier issue which is causing intermittent broadband connectivity problems for some Virgin Media customers. We apologise again to those impacted, our teams are continuing to work flat out to find the root cause of the problem and fix it.
In a statement on Twitter at 5:25pm yesterday, Virgin Media said: “Unfortunately we have seen a repeat of an earlier issue which is causing intermittent broadband connectivity problems for some Virgin Media customers.
“We apologise again to those impacted, our teams are continuing to work flat out to find the root cause of the problem and fix it.”
While these repeat broadband outages were said to have been reported by around 55,000 people, one fifth of those who reported it said they were suffering from a total blackout – which has inevitably lead to some aggravated customers demanding a refund.
ADVERTISEMENT
Several called the company out for the fact these disruptions and outages are being followed by a hike in price for their services.
Virgin Media apologises after more than 50,000 customers experienced ‘repeat’ broadband outages / Credit: Kaitlyn Baker (via Unsplash)
“Some cheek telling us our bills are going up 13% whilst our internet isn’t even working,” one customer said on Twitter.
Another customer said: “There’s an honesty about Virgin Media. In response to widespread outages, they take their help pages down and ignore Twitter. Nothing says “switch your broadband, we don’t know what we’re doing” more effectively than that.”
One customer added on Twitter that he believes all customers should “receive compensation in the amount of one month free internet”.
Hi, Virgin Media thanks for warning us. I’ve been running multiple devices off my phone all day 🙄
Can I get a refund for your 17% price hike? Above inflation? @virginmedia
Another customer seeking a refund said on Twitter: “Hi Virgin Media, thanks for warning us. I’ve been running multiple devices off my phone all day. Can I get a refund for your 17% price hike? Above inflation?”
ADVERTISEMENT
“Virgin Media need to refund my bill this month,” another angry customer claimed.
“Hope I get some sort of refund,” another said on Twitter.
“You have the cheek to raise prices without improving services. And now a nice 7 hour outage? As long as that profit line stays on the up eh? You clowns.”
Featured Image – Virgin Media
Trending
WWE is returning to Manchester for first-ever box office televised event
Danny Jones
The WWE is coming back to Manchester for what looks set to be one of their biggest overseas event yet, let alone just here in 0161.
Following spectacles such as WWE Live and the ‘Road to Clash in Paris’ last summer, WWE is bringing proper SmackDown scenes to the UK and Europe early next year.
Announcing the blockbuster booking on Monday, 10 August, WWE has chosen the Co-op Live arena to host an unprecedented first televised edition outside of the US this coming January.
Confirming an all-star cast of competitors for one of the franchise’s biggest promotions, this one is a must-not-miss for Manc wrestling fans.
As per the caption of the announcement: “WWE brings the 2027 Road to Royal Rumble European Tour to Co-op Live, the first ever WWE televised event.
“Fans will see their favourite WWE Superstars in action including Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk, Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes, Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins, World Tag Team Champions The Vision and many more.”
Last time the world-famous sports entertainment company came to our city, we got to see the likes of Jey Uso, Rhea Ripley, GUNTHER, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair and more.
Safe to say that we have been fortunate enough to see many of their most famous faces grace the canvas already.
Manchester, of course, isn’t the only domestic/European ‘Road to Royal Rumble’ date on the calendar in 2027 either.
For anyone looking to grab tickets for the next Manchester WWE show at Co-op Live, you can sign up to find out all the details at the first opportunity right HERE.
Once again, official Co-op members get early access via the venue’s exclusive pre-sale window, and you can expect general admission to sell out fast, so keep your eyes peeled…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Co-op Live)/The Manc Group
Trending
New number ‘confirmed’ as Marcus Rashford returns to Manchester United
Danny Jones
Against the odds and the transfer gods, local lad Marcus Rashford has officially rejoined Manchester United for pre-season, and it looks as though his new shirt number has been revealed.
It’s one with a fair bit of significance for a couple of reasons, too.
Yes, despite it looking nailed on for Rashford to have all but left Man United ‘for good’ following two loan stints at Aston Villa and a successful spell at FC Barcelona last term, the Wythenshawe winger has returned to Carrington and now looks set to be reintegrated into the squad.
Just goes to show that besides the Red Devils having seen plenty of sagas in their time, anything can happen in a transfer window.
As you can see, the homegrown United academy product turned first-team star and England international was spotted driving into the team’s training complex to link back up with his former teammates and, indeed, some new faces since he left.
The last time Rashford played for his boyhood and still parent club was back in December 2024, and his most recent loan deal to Barcelona was expected to be made permanent provided he performed well – which, with 14 goals and 10 assists, he did.
Plenty of Barca fans were more eager to see him join his self-proclaimed dream destination full-time, too.
However, not only were the Catalan giants ultimately unwilling to pay the estimated €30 million transfer fee for his services – not to mention his significant wage demands – but after they decided to sign Newcastle and fellow Three Lions attacker Anthony Gordon in a similar position, it never came to fruition.
Now seemingly set to be given another chance in the senior setup and a chance at getting into the first-team squad under Michael Carrick, who has seen every up and down of Rashford’s time at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’; he’s also set to carry on wearing the same shirt number he did for the ‘Blaugrana’.
Reportedly set to take the vacant #14 jersey, which has been free since Christian Eriksen left the club in May 2025, it provides some kind of continuity from his fruitful chapter away from home.
Not only did Rashford supposedly select the shirt while in Spain due to his admiration for Thierry Henry, who famously shared a similar kind of inside forward role throughout his career, but it’s been noted by many fans that it’s also the same number his best mate Jesse Lingard used to wear.
While it remains to be seen how happy the 28-year-old is to have ended up back at Old Trafford, this has at least served as a nice little full-circle coincidence for some supporters.
As for the apparent reintegration process itself – what do you make of it, Reds: are you among those glad to see him back in United colours, or do you think he should still look at a move away from the club in the near future?
Emily Sergeant -
5th April 2023 
