Five in Five” – Virgin Media announces Digital for Good sustainability strategy

30th July 2015

Company to transform lives through digital technology partnership with Scope

Virgin Media to grow ultrafast network to 4m more premises without increasing its carbon footprint

Broadband leader to create opportunities for 100,000 small businesses through digital technology

Virgin Media today announces a set of new sustainability goals that will see the UK’s ultrafast provider do more good with digital, while growing responsibly and sustainably. As part of its new sustainability strategy, Virgin Media is committed to achieving five ambitious goals in the next five years. They are:

1. Transform the lives of disadvantaged people in the UK through digital technology.
2. Give 100,000 small businesses the ability to thrive in the UK’s economy through digital.
3. Expand ultrafast broadband to 4m more premises without increasing its carbon footprint.
4. Nurture a workforce which represents the diversity of its customers and communities.
5. Improve the sustainability performance of every new customer product.

To meet its pledge to transform the lives of disadvantaged people in the UK, Virgin Media has launched a breakthrough two year partnership with disability charity Scope. With 53%of households in the UK including at least one disabled person1, the £1m partnership aims to transform the lives of disabled people through digital technology.

Virgin Media will also connect 4 million more UK homes and businesses to ultrafast broadband through “Project Lightning” in the next five years without increasing its carbon footprint. To do this the company will invest in the energy efficiency of its network, increase the fuel-efficiency of its fleet and explore on-site renewable technology options.

In recognition of the importance of small businesses to the UK economy, Virgin Media will create opportunities for 100,000 small businesses through broadband access, inspiration, skills and advice.

Brigitte Trafford, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media, said: “We have the power, the people and the ambition to change lives. Virgin Media is committed to delivering our five goals over the next five years proving the positive impact that technology can have on society and the environment.”
To find out more about this partnership and Virgin Media’s Digital for Good strategy, go to virginmedia.com/sustainability.

Notes to editors

1 Source: Scope analysis of Department for Work and Pensions (2014) Family Resources Survey 2012-13

About Virgin Media

Virgin Media offers four multi award-winning services across the UK and Ireland: broadband, TV, mobile phone and landline.

The company’s dedicated, ultrafast network delivers the fastest widely available broadband speeds to homes and businesses. And we’re expanding this through our £3bn Project Lightning programme, which will reach 17 million premises.

Our interactive TV service brings live programmes, thousands of hours of on-demand programming and the best apps and games in a set-top box, as well as on-the-go for tablets and smartphones.

We launched the world’s first virtual mobile network, offering fantastic value and services to customers. We are also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the UK and Ireland.

Through Virgin Media Business we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest widely available broadband speeds and tailor-made services.

Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, the world’s largest international cable company. Together Virgin Media and Liberty Global serve 27 million customers across 14 countries.