Virgin Media is boosting its wireless network after signing a deal to take over Arqiva’s Wi-Fi business.
Arqiva Wi-Fi operates more than 31,000 access points across 6,500 locations across the United Kingdom, including in banks, restaurants and hotel rooms.
More than 100 Arqiva employees will transfer to Virgin Media Business as part of the deal.
Virgin Media provides Wi-Fi to 250 stations in the London Underground, with around 500,000 devices connecting daily. The company is also trialling the UK’s first “Smart Pavement” for outdoor Wi-Fi use.
Peter Kelly, Managing Director of Virgin Media Business, said: “Millions of homes and businesses across the country already rely on Virgin Media for ultrafast broadband. By complementing our existing offer with the acquisition of one of the UK’s biggest and best public Wi-Fi providers we’ll soon be able to expand the same high quality connectivity outdoors. In today’s digital age connectivity matters, whether you are at home, at work or on the go.”
Simon Beresford-Wylie, Chief Executive Officer for Arqiva, said: “We have made significant investment in Wi-Fi in recent years, resulting in a scalable and robust platform for customers and I firmly believe that Virgin Media will be a great owner of the Wi-Fi business. Under this new stewardship, the business will be well placed to grow and gain market share.”