Orange twist
Virgin Media's mobile offering is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that uses T-Mobile's network. Since T-Mobile and Orange have merged their UK operations to form Everything Everywhere, and made both networks available to their respective customers, it stands to reason that their MVNOs would eventually get the same treatment.
So now, if you're a Virgin mobile customer, you can opt to switch to Orange if you're in a T-Mobile not-spot. Virgin will be automatically rolling this out to its customers of the rest of this year at no additional cost, but if you want it now all you need to do, says Virgin, is text YES to 789777 from your Virgin mobile.
"Virgin Media customers already enjoy the UK's fastest broadband and the most advanced TV services, now they'll benefit from enhanced mobile coverage too," said Virgin mobile boss, Graeme Oxby. "With our combination of fixed and mobile services, we are uniquely positioned to cater for a new era of ‘always on' connectivity, be it with our cutting edge broadband or TiVo service at home or enjoying the latest mobile entertainment whilst on the go."
Talking of Everything Everywhere, the mobile JV's LTE trial in Cornwall with BT Wholesale, which was first announced back in May, is finally underway, and will continue into early next year.
Olaf Swantee, CEO of Everything Everywhere, said: "Soon, more people will be accessing the internet on their mobile devices than on their PCs, and that means we need the right kind of networks in place to deliver the right kind of experience for our customers. That's why, as the UK's largest communications company, we are leading the development and introduction of new technologies like 4G. This next generation mobile network will allow individuals and businesses across Britain to access the people, places and things they want, wherever they are, whenever they want."
Nigel Stagg, CEO of BT Wholesale said: "BT is committed to working with the government and using technology innovation to find ways of addressing the remaining challenges within the UK where there are still broadband ‘not-spots'. The final ten per cent of the country is exceedingly difficult to reach with the available standard fixed line solutions. Our proof of concept trial in Cornwall will test the capabilities and services that a shared fixed and mobile data network can support and is just one of the options, along with fibre and other mobile and wireless technologies that we are looking at to offer a possible solution to the rural broadband challenge."
