NTL and Telewest spent a short history offering similar cable television, broadband internet and home phone services. Both companies were in fierce competition chasing the same customers until they merged though retained the separate brands. Last year NTL joined forces with Richard Branson incorporating his Virgin Mobile and Virgin Net (broadband) brands in return for a 14% stake in the new company Virgin Media.
Virgin Media will offer the consumer “quad play”, Broadband, Digital TV, Home Phone and Mobile under one umbrella from £40.
The NTL and Telewest brands were dogged with poor coverage and a bad reputation for customer service. It is hoped that the strength of the Virgin brand and the endorsement by stars such as Thurman will help the new brand lose its reputation of poor levels of customer service associated with the old cable brands.
Virgin Media Broadband coverage will offer ADSL or cable broadband and will cover most of the UK population. The new offer is likely to be highly competitive, particularly given the previous Virgin broadband offer was arguably the best value entry level package on the market.
With a high profile launch, its unique quad play offering and Branson’s input Virgin Media could be set to become a major player in the telecoms arena.
About the Author: Yvan Bamping is a resident expert at www.Broadband-
