Netgem, VX Fiber partnership
November 19, 2020
Ultrafast broadband digital TV service provider Netgem has been selected by digital infrastructure specialist VX Fiber as one of the first entertainment and multi-streaming services providers on its Open Access Platform.
VX Fiber’s core business is to partner with fibre owners and to operate these fibre networks on an Open Access basis. It provides the capability for customers to connect directly to a fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network and gain access to all the services they require. Its open access platform means that independent service provider partners, such as Netgem, are able to offer their services, giving customers access to a range of services.
Netgem will be making its high-quality 4K multi-screen TV service, as well as its recently launched Super WiFi addition, available via a monthly subscription. For £16.99 a month and £29 upfront, customers will have access to over 130 live TV channels from Freeview to MTV, Sky History and Premier Sports, as well as access to a plethora of digital streaming services including Prime Video, YouTube and Britbox. All services will be delivered through a 4K set top box and can be viewed on a wide, and growing, selection of smart devices including mobiles and tablets.
As a complement to ultrafast broadband, Netgem Super WiFi is bundled in the offer including two Netgem WiFi pods to ensure that consistent WiFi connectivity can be accessed throughout the home and gives increased control over ‘smart home’ technology, all through with a super simple and intuitive experience.
“Despite a demand in broadband connections to support digital lifestyles, the consumer take-up rate for full-fibre to the premises in the UK currently stands at around 30 per cent, according to INCA,” notes Sylvain Thevenot, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer (C3O) at Netgem. “However, entertainment and content services have proved invaluable in driving consumer engagement, they provide them with the tangible evidence they need to justify an upgrade to FTTP connectivity.”
“Netgem is committed to becoming the TV and WiFi partner of choice for alternative networks (Altnets) providers helping them to drive FTTP take-up. With this in mind, we are delighted to have partnered with VX Fiber to be able to offer even more consumers access to exceptional high-quality 4k TV, multi-streaming services, as well as Super WiFi Mesh-as-as-a-Service products.”
“Access to ubiquitous full fibre networks offers innumerable economic and socio-economic benefits to any country, which is why we are committed to helping get Britain connected,” added Henrik Nilsson, Director of Partnerships at VX Fiber.
“If the past-eight months has shown us anything, it is just how essential access to stable and secure broadband connectivity has become. It has been a lifeline for UK families during the Covid-19 pandemic helping to keep them both connected for work and school, and entertained.”
“The services we are able to offer to our customers, via our independent service providers, are essential to showing the value of FTTP. This is why we are proud to be partnering with Netgem, making exceptional 4K TV and multi-streaming services available on our Open Access Platform.”
Netgem services will be available to LilaConnect customers in Stoke-on-Trent. As part of the VX Fiber group, LilaConnect markets, sells, installs and maintains connections to the fibre network. Stoke-on-Trent City Council appointed VX Fiber as their partner to deliver a DCMS funded Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) using the Open Access Operator model.
The city network (Stoke-on-Trent Private Optical Network) will be owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, whilst VX Fiber has been contracted to build and operate the infrastructure in the public domain (in public roads etc.). Via its fibre-owning business LilaConnect, it will further invest in the build of the necessary access infrastructure to connect over 100,000 premises across Stoke-on-Trent.
Netgem TV and WiFi will also be available to Prime Fibre customers in London. This project signifies the partnership between VX Fiber and Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, a joint open access full fibre deployment project to transform the digital landscape of Mayfair and Belgravia.