Virgin Media O2 Teams With Affirm on Hardware Sales

Virgin Media O2, a leading mobile provider in the United Kingdom, has partnered with flexible payment network Affirm to provide hardware financing.

This collaboration will allow O2 customers to access Affirm’s pay-over-time options at checkout when purchasing mobile phones, headphones, game consoles and other hardware, the companies said in a Friday (Feb. 6) press release.

Affirm will offer a wide range of monthly payment plans and will charge no late or hidden fees or compound interest, according to the release.

Approved customers will see their pay-over-time options displayed at checkout, with the total cost shown upfront, the release said.

The companies expect to make Affirm’s flexible payment plans available to Virgin Media O2’s customers this summer, subject to regulatory approval, per the release.

“We want to help our customers access the devices they want with an affordable, clear and convenient payment option that truly works for them,” Chris Bournés, commercial director at Virgin O2 Media, said in the release, adding that the partnership with Affirm will enable it to do that.

Ruth Spratt, UK country manager at Affirm, said in the release that Virgin Media O2 serves millions of people across the U.K. and that this partnership will bring pay-over-time options to more customers.

“As more businesses look to improve the way people pay, Affirm provides a solution that puts transparency, trust and convenience at the center of the experience,” Spratt said.

Affirm launched its pay-over-time options in the U.K. in November 2024. The company was already operating in the United States and Canada and had processed over $75 billion in transactions in those countries over the previous five years.

“We know that U.K. consumers are savvy shoppers who appreciate upfront, no-nonsense products,” Affirm Founder and CEO Max Levchin said at the time in a press release. “We look forward to offering them responsible credit options that truly put consumers first and working collaboratively with our U.K. partners to demonstrate how honest finance is good business.”

Affirm reported Thursday (Feb. 5) that across its entire business, gross merchandise volume increased 36% year over year to reach $13.8 billion during the company’s fiscal second quarter.