Virgin Media Mobile Customers Get Free Wi-Fi With The Cloud

Virgin Media’s mobile customers can now get access to 22,000 Wi-Fi hotspots as part of their contract after the company agreed a wholesale deal with wireless provider The Cloud.

The Virgin Media ‘Wi-Fi Buddy’ automatically connects to an approved hotspot whenever one is in range by authenticating a user’s handset via the SIM card. This means that customers no longer need to constantly enter log-in details or provide further information.

Virgin Media Wi-Fi

“We want our customers to have the best possible data connection, wherever they are,” said Annie Brooks, director of mobile at Virgin Media. “Working with The Cloud, Virgin Mobile customers will get Wi-Fi internet access in lots of popular retail stores, bars, hotels, stadiums and other venues across the country.”

“Being able to offer such widespread data connectivity for people while they are on the go is increasingly important, as is ensuring the experience is seamless and simple to use.”

BskyB-owned The Cloud counts the London Overground and MasterCard among its other wholesale agreement and claims its latest partnership with Virgin Media is a “key strategic relationship.”

“We have spent the last ten years not only growing our hotspot network but also delivering a great customer experience, consistently achieving the highest customer satisfaction rating versus our competitors,” adds Roger Matthews, commercial director at The Cloud. “We want to ensure we are a major part of the UK’s expanding mobile ecosystem and partnering with companies like Virgin Media is absolutely vital. This is an exciting time in mobile and we’re pleased to be part of it.”

Virgin Media has 2.1 million mobile customers in the UK, generating revenues of £122.5 million during the most recent quarter. These customers can also access the London Underground Wi-Fi network, operated directly by Virgin Media, at no extra charge.

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