Liberty Global’s UK Operations Launch Plume Pods

Rhea-AI Summary

Liberty Global's UK business, Virgin Media, has launched the Intelligent WiFi Plus service, enhancing broadband speeds for millions of customers. This service integrates features from Virgin Media's Hub 3 and Hub 4 routers alongside Plume's Intelligent WiFi Pods. The upgrade focuses on providing a fast and reliable WiFi experience, essential during ongoing lockdowns. Liberty Global has invested in Plume since 2014, emphasizing their partnership. The rollout includes advanced smart home services such as AI-driven cybersecurity. Virgin Media also plans future smart home feature expansions and aims to extend its services across Europe.

Positive

• Launch of Intelligent WiFi Plus service enhancing broadband speeds.
• Integration with Plume's technology for improved WiFi performance.
• Expansion plans for smart home features and service reach in Europe.

Negative

• None.

Liberty Global’s (“Liberty Global”) (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB and LBTYK) UK business Virgin Media has today announced a new game-changing Intelligent WiFi Plus service that will give millions of customers the UK’s fastest widely available broadband speeds throughout their homes, at a time when fast, safe, secure and highly reliable WiFi has never been more important.

The Intelligent WiFi Plus service consists of new features on Virgin Media’s Hub 3 and Hub 4 routers as well as Intelligent WiFi Pods which make use of Plume’s innovative cloud management platform. Liberty Global has invested in Plume since 2014 through its investment arm Liberty Global Ventures. Bundling high-value Smart Home Services –– including AI-powered cybersecurity, advanced guest access and parental controls –– with the best possible WiFi, Plume provides customers with unparalleled WiFi performance, personalisation and security.

As UK households face a further period of lockdown, the need for a fast, safe, secure, and a highly reliable broadband connection to facilitate home working, learning and entertainment is greater than ever. Combining automatically deployed firmware on Virgin Media’s Hub 3 and 4 routers with Plume’s WiFi Pods creates one Mesh network, thereby boosting WiFi reach, speed and reliability within the home by intelligently optimising and prioritising device connections.

Ankur Prakash, Partner, Liberty Global Ventures comments: “As founding investors in Plume since 2014, it’s great to see our collaboration extend to the integral role their product plays in Virgin Media’s new Intelligent WiFi service, available to our customers in the UK and allowing them to make the best use of our broadband network at this critical time. Plume has established itself as a true market leader with a world class team and we continue to be strong supporters of the company as it expands its customer base to more than 150 ISPs and over 21 million active households around the world.”

Fahri Diner, Co-founder & CEO, Plume, adds: “The Liberty Global Ventures team embody the ideal partnership for Plume. They bet on Plume early, and have supported the growth of the company through the years. They bring in real world operational experience contributing to Plume’s bold vision, and we are fortunate to be working closely with them.”

The WiFi Pods are powered by Plume’s award-winning Consumer Experience Management (CEM) Platform that combines sophisticated cloud management, AI technology, and OpenSync™ open-source software, to enable proactive management of a subscriber's smart home experience. Plume’s algorithms monitor and self-optimize WiFi connectivity to every device to ensure a flawless experience, whatever the application.

Virgin Media plans to roll-out additional smart home features during the year and Liberty Global is looking to expand the service to other European markets in due course.

ABOUT LIBERTY GLOBAL VENTURES

Liberty Global Ventures is the company’s global investment arm, with a diverse portfolio of 40 companies in content, technology, internet and distribution. The group consists of a dedicated team in Denver, Silicon Valley, London and Amsterdam, whose remit is to leverage Liberty Global’s scale and expertise to drive superior strategic and investment returns.

ABOUT LIBERTY GLOBAL

Liberty Global (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB and LBTYK) is one of the world’s leading converged video, broadband and communications companies, with operations in seven European countries under the consumer brands Virgin Media, Telenet, UPC, the combined Sunrise UPC, as well as VodafoneZiggo, which is owned through a 50/50 joint venture. Our substantial scale and commitment to innovation enable us to invest in the infrastructure and digital platforms that empower our customers to make the most of the digital revolution.

Liberty Global delivers market-leading products through next-generation networks that connect customers subscribing to 50 million broadband, video, fixed and mobile telephony services across our brands. We also have significant investments in ITV, All3Media, ITI Neovision, LionsGate, the Formula E racing series and several regional sports networks

For more information, please visit www.libertyglobal.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210112005703/en/

FAQ

What is Liberty Global’s Intelligent WiFi Plus service?

It is a new service from Virgin Media providing enhanced broadband speeds and features to improve home WiFi performance.

How does Intelligent WiFi Plus improve broadband speeds?

It combines Virgin Media's Hub routers with Plume's Intelligent WiFi Pods to create a mesh network, optimizing device connections.

When was the Intelligent WiFi Plus service launched?

The service was announced on January 12, 2021.

What is the significance of Plume's technology for Liberty Global?

Liberty Global has partnered with Plume since 2014, leveraging its cloud management platform to enhance customer experience.

What future developments are expected for Virgin Media's services?

Virgin Media plans to roll out additional smart home features and expand services to other European markets.