Virgin Media Is Closing Its Email Service: 45 Days to Move ntlworld, blueyonder and virginmedia.com Addresses

What Virgin Media announced

On 9 September 2026 Virgin Media O2 chief operating officer Alan Stott announced that Virgin Media is transferring management of its legacy email service to Junara, a dedicated email provider owned by Atmail. Virgin Media stopped issuing new email addresses in 2022 but existing accounts had continued unchanged until now. The change means that the email addresses many households have used for years will no longer be managed by Virgin Media. Instead, they will be handled by Junara, which is run by Australian provider Atmail. The Register and ISPreview reported the change on 9 September 2026. Atmail has nearly 30 years of experience in email migrations, according to the announcement.

For customers, the practical effect is that the familiar email service will move to a new provider. Virgin Media says it will write to affected customers in phases starting September 2026. The first communication will direct customers to the official Virgin Media website, and it will not include clickable sign-up links. The company says customer service teams at Virgin Media O2 and Junara will explain the options, how to move, how to download data and where to get help. FAQs are being provided. The announcement does not change broadband, landline or TV services; it concerns only the legacy email addresses.

Which email addresses are affected

The affected addresses are anyone with an email address ending ntlworld.com, blueyonder.co.uk, virgin.net or virginmedia.com. These domains date back to the early days of cable internet in the UK, and many users have kept the same address for decades. That means the change affects not just current Virgin Media customers but also former customers who kept their old email address after leaving. If an address ends in one of those four domains, it is part of the legacy service being transferred to Junara.

Households often use these addresses for banking, bills, HMRC, NHS correspondence, utilities, shopping and social media. Because the address is tied to so many accounts, losing access could disrupt password resets and important notifications. The first step for any household is to list every account registered to the old address. That includes bank accounts, government services, medical records, utility providers, retailers and social media. Updating those accounts before the address closes is essential to avoid missing messages. The change applies regardless of whether the customer still has a Virgin Media broadband, landline or TV service.

The three options and what each costs

Customers have three options. First, they can sign up and move the existing address to Junara. Second, they can download emails and data and move to another provider, including free services. Third, they can close the account. Each option has different cost implications. Current Virgin Media broadband, landline or TV customers get the first 12 months of Junara free, subject to a 99p transfer fee paid to Junara. Customers who have registered as needing additional support get 18 months free. Former Virgin Media customers must sign up to a standard Junara plan to keep the address. Moving to another provider can be free.

The 99p transfer fee applies to current customers taking the free 12 month Junara option. Beyond the free period, Junara's standard plan pricing applies, but no specific price beyond the free period and the 99p fee has been announced. For former customers, the standard Junara plan is the route to keeping the address. For anyone choosing a free provider, the move can be free, but they will need to set up forwarding and tell contacts about the new address. The choice depends on how much the household values keeping the old address and how many accounts are tied to it.

The deadlines: 45 days, then 120 more

Customers get at least 45 days from their first communication to decide. Letters go out in phases starting September 2026. That means the 45 day clock starts when the first letter or message arrives, not on a single national date. A further 120 day window allows accounts to be recovered if the first messages are missed. After the full 165 days with no action the account is permanently deleted. The 165 days is the total of the initial 45 day decision period plus the 120 day recovery window.

The phased approach means neighbours or relatives may receive their letters at different times. Households should watch for the first communication and note the date it arrives. The 45 day period is the time to choose an option and act. If that window is missed, the 120 day recovery window still allows the account to be recovered. But once the full 165 days have passed with no action, the account is permanently deleted. Keeping the old address alive during the window matters because password reset emails for other accounts will still arrive there until the address is closed or moved.

How to move safely: a step-by-step checklist

Start by listing every account registered to the old address. Include bank, HMRC, NHS, utilities, shopping and social media. Update each one with the new address before the old one closes. Export or forward important emails and attachments so that records are not lost. If choosing a free provider, set up forwarding from the old address and tell contacts about the new one. Keep the old address alive during the window so password reset emails still arrive. Help older relatives who may not read letters promptly. These steps reduce the risk of missing bills, benefits or medical messages.

For households with many accounts, a written checklist can help. Note the date the first Virgin Media communication arrives and count 45 days from then. Decide whether to move to Junara, switch to another provider or close the account. If moving to Junara, complete the sign-up and pay the 99p transfer fee if eligible for the free 12 month option. If switching, download data first, then set up the new account and forwarding. If closing, download anything needed before closure. Throughout, keep the old address active so that password resets and verification emails continue to arrive until the move is complete.

Scam risk: how to tell a real Virgin Media letter from a fake

Virgin Media says it will not include clickable sign-up links in any email about the change. The first communication directs customers to the official Virgin Media website. Customers should be cautious of unexpected messages asking for personal details, passwords or payment, and follow only official Virgin Media instructions. Suspected scams can be reported to Action Fraud. These safeguards are important because email migrations are a common theme for phishing attempts. A genuine communication will not ask for passwords or payment through a link in an email.

If a message about the change arrives with a clickable sign-up link, treat it as suspicious. Instead, go directly to the official Virgin Media website by typing the address into a browser. Do not use links or phone numbers from unexpected messages. If in doubt, contact Virgin Media O2 or Junara customer service using details from the official website. Report suspected scams to Action Fraud. The same caution applies to letters: check that any correspondence matches the official guidance and does not ask for sensitive information. Households should share these warnings with older relatives who may be less familiar with phishing tactics.

Help for older or vulnerable customers

Customers who have registered as needing additional support get 18 months free on Junara, rather than the 12 months offered to other current customers. Virgin Media O2 and Junara customer service teams will explain options, how to move, how to download data and where to get help. FAQs are being provided. For older customers who may not read letters promptly, family members or carers can help by checking post, noting the 45 day deadline and assisting with the checklist. The additional support registration is important because it extends the free period and may come with extra help.

Households should consider who in the family uses an affected address and may need assistance. A relative who uses an ntlworld.com address for banking and family contact may not realise the service is changing. Helping them list accounts, update details and keep the old address alive during the window can prevent missed messages. The 120 day recovery window provides a safety net if the first communication is missed, but it is better to act within the initial 45 days. Customer service teams are available to explain the process and provide help with downloading data.

What happens if you do nothing

If no action is taken, the account is permanently deleted after the full 165 days. That means the email address and its contents will be lost. Any accounts still registered to that address will no longer receive password resets or notifications. The 165 days comprises the initial 45 day decision period plus a 120 day recovery window. Missing the first 45 days does not mean immediate deletion, but it does start the recovery window. After 165 days with no action, deletion is permanent.

Doing nothing also means losing access to stored emails and attachments unless they have been downloaded or forwarded. For households that use the address for banking, bills and family contact, the consequences can be significant. The safest approach is to act within the first 45 days, whether by moving to Junara, switching provider or closing the account after downloading data. If the first letter is missed, the 120 day recovery window still allows the account to be recovered. But once the full 165 days have passed, there is no way back.

Source: Ofcom.

Related coverage on Kael Tripton: Virgin Media broadband review, Virgin Media Broadband Deals UK 2026: Cable Network Explained, One Touch Switching: How to Switch Broadband Provider in the UK, How to Switch Broadband Provider UK 2026: Step-by-Step Guide, Phishing Scams UK 2026: How to Spot Them, Report Them, and Get Your Money Back.

Frequently asked questions

Which email addresses are affected by the Virgin Media change?

Anyone with an email address ending ntlworld.com, blueyonder.co.uk, virgin.net or virginmedia.com is affected. Virgin Media stopped issuing new addresses in 2022 but existing accounts continued unchanged until now. The change applies to current and former customers who still use those domains. Households should check whether any bank, HMRC, NHS, utility, shopping or social media accounts are registered to an affected address and update them before the service moves to Junara.

How long do I have to decide what to do with my Virgin Media email?

Customers get at least 45 days from their first communication to decide. Letters go out in phases starting September 2026. A further 120 day window allows accounts to be recovered if the first messages are missed. After the full 165 days with no action the account is permanently deleted. The 45 day period starts when the first letter or message arrives, so the deadline varies by household.

What are my options and what do they cost?

There are three options: sign up and move the existing address to Junara; download emails and data and move to another provider, including free services; or close the account. Current Virgin Media broadband, landline or TV customers get the first 12 months of Junara free, subject to a 99p transfer fee paid to Junara. Customers registered as needing additional support get 18 months free. Former Virgin Media customers must sign up to a standard Junara plan to keep the address. Moving to another provider can be free.

How can I tell a genuine Virgin Media communication from a scam?

Virgin Media says it will not include clickable sign-up links in any email about the change. The first communication directs customers to the official Virgin Media website. Customers should be cautious of unexpected messages asking for personal details, passwords or payment, and follow only official Virgin Media instructions. Suspected scams can be reported to Action Fraud. If a message contains a clickable sign-up link, treat it as suspicious and go directly to the official website instead.

What happens if I do nothing?

If no action is taken, the account is permanently deleted after the full 165 days. That means the email address and its contents will be lost. Any accounts still registered to that address will no longer receive password resets or notifications. The 165 days comprises the initial 45 day decision period plus a 120 day recovery window. Missing the first 45 days does not mean immediate deletion, but after 165 days with no action, deletion is permanent.