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LONDON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Virgin Media is ditching BT's
mobile network for rival Vodafone from late 2021,
saying the five-year deal announced on Wednesday would bring
innovative new services such as 5G to more than 3 million
customers.
The British cable TV and broadband company, owned by U.S.
group Liberty Global, pioneered the mobile virtual
network operator (MVNO) model, when a company offers own-branded
mobile services on an established partner's network.
Vodafone will supply wholesale mobile services including
voice and data to the Virgin Mobile and Virgin Media Business
customers under the deal, which runs until 2026.
Lutz Schüler, Virgin Media CEO, said the partnership would
deliver a host of benefits to customers, including 5G services
in the near future, and bring mobile and broadband connectivity
closer together in one package for one price.
"Twenty years ago Virgin Mobile became the world's first
virtual operator and this new agreement builds on that
heritage," he said.
Vodafone's UK chief executive Nick Jeffery said Virgin had
recognised the huge investments it had made, and continued to
make, in building its mobile network.
The deal is a new departure for Vodafone in its home market
after it previously largely avoided major MVNO partnerships
unlike rivals such as BT's EE and Telefonica's O2.
(Reporting by Paul Sandle, editing by Louise Heavens)
