Virgin Media customers will soon be able to benefit from improved Wi-Fi connectivity following the operator’s signing of a new support deal with infrastructure specialists Arqiva.
The two companies have teamed up to provide "fast and high-quality coverage" to customers across the UK using the WiFi Buddy app, which identifies local available hotspots.
Under the terms of the four year deal, this will now include Arqiva’s network of over 3,000 Wi-Fi enabled public locations, including many UK airports (including London Heathrow and Manchester Airport), 37,000 hotel rooms, more than 1,500 pubs and over 1,000 outdoor Wi-Fi locations.
"We’re always looking at new ways to ensure our customers have access to the best possible data connection," said Annie Brooks, director of mobile at Virgin Media.
"Whether customers are in their home or on the go it’s important we’re able to deliver a seamless integrated experience when it comes to data connectivity."
The deal follows recent research by Arqiva which found that over half of Britons said it was ‘critical’ or ‘important’ to be able to connect to the Internet when outside the home or office. Nearly a third admitted to connecting to Wi-Fi ‘every’ or ‘most’ times when in a pub or airport, which increases to 49% when staying overnight in a hotel.
"Staying connected when you’re out and about is nothing short of a necessity and demand for WiFi services is only ever increasing," said Arqiva managing director of telecoms Nicolas Ott.
"Working together with Virgin Media we’re thrilled to be providing their customers with an enhanced WiFi experience when they’re on the go, thanks to the seamless access to high-quality mobile data on the Arqiva network."
