Press release
Customers to help shape the future of the UK's next-generation broadband
Virgin Media, the UK's fastest internet service provider, has appointed SamKnows, Ofcom's appointed Technical Partner for broadband performance testing, to conduct an independent trial to measure the performance Virgin Media customers receive from their fibre optic broadband services. The 12 month project will give Virgin Media customers the unique opportunity to participate in a pioneering initiative to help develop Virgin Media's next-generation UK broadband service.
SamKnows was chosen by Virgin Media following its work with Ofcom in measuring UK broadband performance. Results from SamKnows' detailed analysis featured in Ofcom's Broadband Code of Practice research, and its hardware-based test solution is widely recognised as the only accurate way to truly measure all aspects of broadband performance, including speed and responsiveness.
Virgin Media currently delivers consumers ultrafast broadband up to 50Mb and is the first ISP to undertake a detailed independent trial of this kind, prompted by the completion of its next-generation ultrafast network, now reaching over 12 million homes. In a radical departure from the thinking of many broadband providers, using SamKnows' proven testing methodology, 750 customers' connections across its product portfolio will be repeatedly analysed through a series of tests to understand what customers up and down the country actually receive.
Alex Salter, Chairman of SamKnows, said, "This deal represents a significant shift in service provider attitudes. Instead of simply complying with external regulation, in a pioneering step, Virgin Media is proactively looking to assess itself to make sure its customers are getting value for money. The move can only be good for the consumer, especially if it encourages other ISPs to follow Virgin Media's lead."
"With Digital Britain top of everyone's mind and conclusions of the first Ofcom Broadband Speeds project illustrating the gap between advertised and experienced speeds, now is the ideal time for broadband providers to take a long, hard look at their services to ensure customers are getting what their broadband packages promise," he continued.
Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media said, "Virgin Media's reputation is built on the quality of our products and we're committed to improving our customers' broadband experience in every way possible. We made the decision to employ one of the UK's leading independent broadband testing experts to ensure that we are able to continue to lead the market for broadband. The superior reliability and accuracy of its data make it an ideal partner to help us fine-tune and improve the products we offer our customers."
Customers interested in joining the performance trial can register online, with full details at http://www.virginmedia.com/myvirginmedia/broadband-quality-trial.php
