Procurement Scotland, supported by the Telecoms National Category Forum (NCF), Centres of Expertise (CoEs), public sector organisations and key stakeholders, has awarded a national framework for fixed telephony services to Virgin Media Business. As one of four suppliers selected by Procurement Scotland, Virgin Media Business has been approved to sell voice services to all of the public sector in Scotland via this framework.
Launched in March 2008, Procurement Scotland was tasked with developing and implementing procurement strategies for national category A commodities on behalf of all Scottish public sector organisations. Category A commodities include corporate services, IT hardware, IT software, eProcurement systems, office equipment, professional services, telecoms and utilities.
The framework will empower Scottish public sector organisations to cut down purchasing time and save money by purchasing fixed telephony services via the one agreement. Through this framework, Virgin Media Business will offer Scottish public sector organisations cost effective communications and connectivity solutions, helping them to reduce expenditure and deliver greater value in the services they provide to the people of Scotland.
The agreement will run until April 2012 with an option to extend for a further two years. By giving organisations greater transparency over pricing and service delivery, the framework will provide best value for money to the Scottish public sector.
“This framework agreement will establish a new standard for a quality and cost-effectiveness of fixed voice services provided to public sector bodies in Scotland” said Ian Howie, head of Procurement Scotland.
“We’re already a major supplier to the Scottish public sector and have a wealth of experience working closely with public sector organisations across Scotland. Being selected onto the framework highlights our real commitment to our customers changing needs,” said Mark Smith, head of public sector north for Virgin Media Business. “By simplifying the procurement process and offering a national pricing scheme, we’re able to help the entire Scottish public sector achieve significant financial savings.”
Virgin Media Business is heavily involved in public sector framework agreements and was recently selected by The Welsh Assembly Government’s Value Wales as a supplier on a key public sector framework.
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About Virgin Media Business
Virgin Media Business is the UK’s only telco with a nationwide fibre optic Next Generation Network. Launched in February 2010, the company aims to bring the Virgin philosophy to the business telecoms market. Providing innovative, high quality solutions built on brilliant customer service.
Virgin Media Business is the largest business-to-business brand in the Virgin group. With a strong product portfolio that includes its market leading Ethernet services. It uses its network asset in order to create bespoke tailored telecoms solutions for its customers. Employees are located at 40 offices across the UK, allowing Virgin Media Business to be closer to its customers in every sense.
Previously known as ntl:Telewest Business, organisations working with Virgin Media Business include London City Airport, Arqiva, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership and South West Water.
About Virgin Media
With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.
The company is one of the largest residential broadband providers in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.
Virgin Media has the UK’s most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.
The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.
Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs seven entertainment channels, including Virgin1, LIVING, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.
With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED) and the London Stock Exchange (VMED).
For more information, go to http://www.virginmedia.com/
