Virgin Media lays new digital foundations with Persimmon Homes
Virgin Media has partnered with one of the UK’s major house builders, Persimmon Homes, to bring new home buyers the benefits of a fully-connected digital home.
Persimmon designs and builds around 10,000 new homes across the UK each year. Now, as part of a UK-wide roll out programme, selected Persimmon new build homes in cabled areas will start to be constructed with built-in access to Virgin Media’s fibre optic broadband, TV, and telephone services, ready from the minute the buyers move in. Customers moving to non-cabled areas will have the option of Virgin Media’s National service delivering up to 20Mb broadband over telephone lines.
Persimmon’s show homes will also feature interactive demonstrations of Virgin Media products making it easier for prospective home buyers to experience the benefits of a purpose-built, fully-connected digital home. Products that will be showcased include ultrafast 50Mb broadband and Virgin Media’s high definition TV service with its pioneering TV on demand service which delivers over 4,600 hours of great TV programmes and movies including hundreds in HD.
Buyers will be able to work with Persimmon representatives to design their future property’s bespoke communications and entertainment needs off-plan. Customers can create a specifically tailored, wireless digital household to suit their lifestyle and accommodate the demands of every member of the family; whether they are surfing in the bathroom or gaming in the garden.
Karen Glyn, commercial director, from Persimmon Homes North region said: “Fast broadband access and engaging entertainment sit at the heart of any leading-edge household today. We build every home with its future owners in mind so I’m delighted to be working with Virgin Media. Together we will ensure our customers can get the best home technology and are able to make the most of a connected digital home first hand.”
Steve Carlin, Virgin Media’s director of sales for new build, said: “Virgin Media’s partnership with Persimmon Homes can take a little bit of the stress out of setting up home as well as allow more people to enjoy our next-generation services as soon as they move in. We all want to be able to watch, share and access our entertainment at home and Virgin Media’s services really help customers to make the most of their technology.”
The company is currently part-way through a significant cable expansion programme that will bring next-generation services to a further 500,000 households currently beyond the reach its fibre optic network.
Earlier this year, Virgin Media also announced pioneering trials in Berkshire and Wales using telegraph poles to deliver ultrafast 50Mb broadband. Virgin Media has identified more than one million homes across parts of the UK that could potentially benefit from fibre optic deployment over telegraph poles.
Virgin Media’s cable and mobile services are currently available at a further 4,000 retail outlets and independent stores, as well as via various home shopping catalogues, online at virginmedia.com or over the telephone.