Trusty and Virgin Media O2 Collaborate to Revolutionize Payments, Introducing Innovative Pay by Bank Solutions
Virgin Media O2 and Trustly Partner for Seamless Payments and Direct Debit Automation
In a significant step forward for the UK telecommunications industry, Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) and Trustly have announced a partnership to integrate advanced Pay by Bank services and direct debit automation into VMO2's payment and onboarding processes.
The collaboration, which was announced in July 2025, aims to streamline VMO2's digital payments infrastructure and offer customers a faster, safer, and more seamless payment experience. With this integration, customers can securely connect their bank accounts for real-time payments without the need for card details or manual input.
Key features of the development include:
- Direct Debit Account Automation: During onboarding, customers can now automatically set up direct debits, making the sign-up process for VMO2 services more efficient.
- One-Off Pay by Bank Payments: The solution allows for smooth, single payments via bank connectivity, improving payment simplicity and speed.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: The integration reduces friction during onboarding and payment, delivering quicker and more secure transactions.
VMO2, a pioneer in telecom digital payments, was the first UK telecom provider to invest in Open Banking. The company launched a direct debit account automation pilot in 2023, which achieved over 60% uptake among eligible users.
Christian Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, emphasized that this partnership with Trustly will provide customers with quick, secure, and innovative payment options, ensuring VMO2 remains at the forefront of digital payment innovation.
The partnership supports the UK Government’s vision of accelerating account-to-account payment adoption in the financial ecosystem. One fifth of consumers and businesses in the UK now use Open Banking, up from one in 17 in March 2021.
VMO2 continues to lead in modernising payment technologies within the UK telecom sector. The company successfully launched digital wallets for recurring contract payments in 2024, the first service of its kind in the UK telecoms sector.
With this partnership, VMO2 plans to improve its services, including rolling out new products and services that can enhance the customer experience. The partnership with Trustly will provide VMO2 customers with quick and secure ways to sign up and simpler payment options.
Trustly, a global leader in Pay by Bank, has existing partnerships with leading UK companies such as Hargreaves Lansdown and government departments like HMRC. The partnership with Virgin Media O2 is a significant advancement in the adoption of Pay by Bank solutions in the UK.
In conclusion, the partnership between Trustly and VMO2 represents a significant step in integrating Open Banking technology into telecom payments, offering both operational efficiencies for VMO2 and a better, smoother payment experience for its customers.
- The partnership between Virgin Media O2 and Trustly, through the integration of Open Banking technology, signifies a notable stride in advancing payments innovation within the finance industry, particularly in the UK telecommunications sector.
- This collaboration between industry leaders Virgin Media O2 and Trustly is expected to bolster the customer experience by improving services, rollout of new products, and offering quick and secure payment options through innovation in technology-driven direct debit automation and Pay by Bank services.
