Virgin Media today launched an advanced range of broadband products for customers who live beyond the reach of its next generation fibre optic network. To coincide with the launch, the company unveiled a new National Broadband Best Speed Promise, guaranteeing to banish unrealistic marketing speed claims and giving customers honest and transparent information about the technical capabilities of their broadband connection at point of sale.
The new guarantee is part of Virgin Media’s commitment to lead the UK’s broadband market in terms of quality and transparency. It comes on the back of a recent Ofcom report showing that many consumers are being promised broadband speeds by their provider that their lines cannot support. In contrast, future marketing for all Virgin Media’s broadband products will feature a maximum ‘up to’ speed claim where the company can demonstrate that a customer’s connection is technically capable of supporting a particular speed (e.g. using fibre optic broadband); otherwise it will clearly state we will guarantee customers “the fastest broadband we can give you,” up to the limits of the broadband technology available (e.g. using National broadband based on ADSL).
Commenting on Virgin Media’s new commitment, CEO Neil Berkett said: “Many consumers are confused by speed claims that are, at best, misleading and, at worst, disingenuous. I hope our National Broadband Speed Promise will help people choose the product that’s right for them and set a new standard of transparency for the whole industry.”
Graeme Oxby, managing director for National broadband at Virgin Media said: “Our new speed promise demonstrates we are putting our money where our mouth is. We’ve upgraded our National broadband service with the latest superfast technology, meaning our customers can now benefit from faster speeds at no extra cost and with the launch of our phone-line service, we’re able to save customers even more money on bundled services.”
The new products will be available to homes that cannot receive Virgin Media’s fibre optic broadband. They include a range of great value options using, wherever possible, the latest ADSL2+ technology to provide the best broadband a standard phone line can support. This will enable faster downloads, higher quality online video and a better service for households where more than one family member wants to get online at the same time. Unlike with other ISPs, Virgin Media customers won’t have to pay extra for ‘speed boosts’.
In addition, from this month customers will no longer have the inconvenience of having to pay a separate line rental fee to a different provider with National broadband customers now able to get a phone line directly from Virgin Media. As well as simplifying customers’ bills, this will enable them to take advantage of significant savings on bundled broadband and phone services.
Customers who buy the new services will get more than a simple broadband connection: the new services come with an exciting range of extras at no extra cost, including PCguard security featuring Kaspersky AntiVirus, backup and storage space and up to 100 free photo prints per month courtesy of the V Stuff service available from my.virginmedia.com. Customers on the move will also be able to take advantage of a special mobile broadband offers from just £5 per month for 1GB.
For more information on Virgin Media products and services visit www.virginmedia.com
