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Virgin Media

Virgin Media is a British telecommunications company that was founded in 2007.
Virgin Media
Leadership team

John C. Malone (Chairman)

Lutz Schüler (CEO)

Headquarters
Reading, England, UK
Established
2017
Social Media
Summary

Virgin Media is a British telecommunications company that was founded in 2007. It offers a wide range of telephone, television, and internet services in the United Kingdom. The company is headquartered at Green Park in Reading, England. Virgin Media is owned by Virgin Media O2, a joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica, with each holding a 50% stake.

One notable aspect of Virgin Media is its extensive collection of videos advertising the company, many of which feature Richard Branson and actor David Tennant. These advertisements can still be found on platforms like YouTube.

Virgin Media operates and maintains its own fibre-optic cable network throughout the United Kingdom. However, in most areas, the optical fibre does not extend directly to customer premises. Instead, it reaches a nearby street cabinet, providing what is known as a fibre to the cabinet service.

As of December 31, 2012, Virgin Media had approximately 4.8 million cable customers. Among them, around 3.79 million received the company's television services (Virgin TV), approximately 4.2 million subscribed to its broadband internet services, and around 4.1 million had fixed-line telephony services. Additionally, Virgin Media had approximately 3 million mobile telephony customers at that time.

Following the acquisition of Smallworld Cable in 2014, Virgin Media became the primary cable provider in the UK, covering 51% of households, excluding the Isle of Wight, where WightFibre is the main cable provider. In the market, Virgin Media primarily competes with companies such as Sky Group, BT Group, and TalkTalk in broadband services, and with EE, Vodafone, and Three in the mobile sector.

History

Virgin Media is a British telecommunications company that has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 2007. The company was formed through a merger of two major players in the UK telecommunications industry: NTL Incorporated and Telewest Communications. The merger was completed in March 2006, forming a new company called NTL:Telewest.

Shortly after the merger, in February 2007, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group acquired a minority stake in NTL:Telewest. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the company. In June 2007, NTL:Telewest rebranded itself as Virgin Media, adopting the well-known Virgin brand name and logo.

Under the Virgin Media brand, the company aimed to provide a comprehensive range of telecommunications services, including telephone, television, and internet services, to customers across the United Kingdom. It positioned itself as a leader in the industry, offering innovative products and high-quality customer service.

Over the years, Virgin Media expanded its offerings and infrastructure. It developed and operated its own fibre-optic cable network, enabling the delivery of high-speed broadband services to customers. The company invested in upgrading its network infrastructure to provide faster and more reliable connectivity.

In 2010, Virgin Media acquired Smallworld Media, a cable operator that served areas of Wales and Scotland, further expanding its coverage and customer base. This acquisition solidified Virgin Media's position as the main cable provider in the UK, serving a significant portion of households.

In 2013, Liberty Global, an international telecommunications and television company, acquired Virgin Media. This acquisition brought new resources and expertise to Virgin Media, allowing for further growth and development.

In 2021, a merger between Virgin Media and O2, a leading mobile network operator in the UK, was completed, creating a new company called Virgin Media O2. This joint venture combined the strengths of both companies, offering customers a comprehensive suite of telecommunications services, including mobile, broadband, and entertainment.

Today, Virgin Media continues to be a major player in the UK telecommunications industry. It delivers a wide range of services to millions of customers, striving to provide innovative solutions and exceptional customer experiences.

Mission

The mission of Virgin Media is to connect people to the world through innovative and reliable telecommunications services. The company aims to provide its customers with cutting-edge technology, high-speed internet, and comprehensive entertainment options.

Virgin Media strives to deliver a seamless and enjoyable customer experience, putting the needs and satisfaction of its customers at the forefront. It seeks to understand and anticipate their evolving needs, providing solutions that enhance their daily lives and enable them to stay connected with the world.

One of the key missions of Virgin Media is to provide fast and reliable broadband services, empowering individuals, businesses, and communities with high-speed internet access. The company recognizes the importance of connectivity in today's digital age and is committed to bridging the digital divide by ensuring that its services are accessible and available to as many people as possible.

In addition to broadband, Virgin Media aims to deliver top-quality television services, offering a wide range of channels, on-demand content, and innovative features that enhance the viewing experience. It strives to provide diverse and engaging entertainment options that cater to the preferences and interests of its customers.

Furthermore, Virgin Media seeks to differentiate itself by fostering a culture of innovation and creativity. The company actively explores new technologies and trends in the telecommunications industry to continuously improve its services and offer cutting-edge solutions. It embraces a spirit of entrepreneurship and aims to push boundaries, setting new standards for excellence in the industry.

Virgin Media is also committed to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. It strives to operate in an environmentally responsible manner by implementing energy-efficient practices, reducing waste, and promoting recycling and sustainability initiatives.

Vision

Virgin Media's vision is to be the most recommended brand in the UK by putting its customers at the heart of everything they do. The company aims to achieve this vision by delivering innovative products and services that meet the needs of its customers, providing excellent customer service, and maintaining a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

Virgin Media seeks to create a future where customers can access and enjoy the best entertainment, communication, and connectivity experiences. It also aims to revolutionize the way people live, work and play, by providing cutting-edge digital services that make everyday life more comfortable, fun and convenient.

Key Team

Patricia Cobian (CFO)

Ulrik Bengtsson (COO)

Gareth Turpin (CCO)

Jo Bertram (Managing Director, Business & Wholesale)

Julie Agnew (Managing Director, Fixed Network Expansion)

Jeanie York (CTO)

Adrian Di Meo (CIO)

Nicola Green (Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer)

Enrique Medina Malo (General Counsel & Chief Regulatory Officer)

Kay Schwabedal (Chief Digital Officer)

Philipp Wohland (Chief People & Transformation Officer)

Products and Services

Virgin Media offers a wide range of products and services in the telecommunications industry, including telephone, television, and internet services. Here are the key offerings provided by Virgin Media:

Broadband Internet: Virgin Media offers high-speed broadband internet services to residential and business customers. They provide various broadband packages with different speeds to cater to different user requirements.

Digital TV: Virgin Media delivers a comprehensive digital TV service, offering a wide selection of channels, including popular entertainment, sports, movies, news, and documentary channels. They also provide on-demand services, allowing customers to access a vast library of TV shows and movies.

Mobile Services: Virgin Media provides mobile phone services, offering voice, text, and data plans. Customers can choose from a range of mobile plans and devices, including smartphones, with options for both contract and pay-as-you-go.

Home Phone: Virgin Media offers fixed-line telephony services, providing customers with landline phone connections. They offer different calling plans, including unlimited local and international calling options.

Home Security: Virgin Media offers home security and monitoring solutions, allowing customers to protect their homes with features like surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and smart home automation.

Wi-Fi and Connectivity: Virgin Media provides Wi-Fi services and connectivity solutions for both residential and business customers. They offer wireless routers, extenders, and mesh networks to ensure reliable and fast internet coverage throughout the premises.

Bundled Packages: Virgin Media offers bundled packages that combine broadband, TV, and phone services, providing customers with cost-effective and convenient options to meet their communication and entertainment needs.

Business Services: Virgin Media caters to the needs of businesses with a range of specialized services, including dedicated business broadband, phone lines, mobile plans, and networking solutions.

References
Virgin Media
Leadership team

John C. Malone (Chairman)

Lutz Schüler (CEO)

Headquarters
Reading, England, UK
Established
2017
Social Media