• Customers have until the 15 November to grab a saving of up to £288 on Plus Plan tariffs (30GB, 150GB and Unlimited Plus) for the brand-new Google Pixel 8 range
• Customers can get the brand-new Google Pixel 8 Pro and claim a Google Pixel Watch 2 for just £669 per month on a 128GB Plus Plan contract
• The brand-new Google Pixel 8 is also available and customers can claim a pair of Google Pixel Buds Pro for just £999 on a 128GB Plus Plan contract
• Check out the new range: Google Phones | O2

From now (4 October) until 15 November O2 customers who purchase the Google Pixel 8 Pro or the Google Pixel 8 can save up to £288 across all Plus Plan tariffs (30GB, 150GB and Unlimited Plus). 

With the Plus Plan* tariff customers can get a range of benefits to save them up to £269:

• O2 Switch Up, allowing customers to swap their current phone for any new mobile, every 90 days (as long as it’s in good condition).
• O2 Travel Inclusive, roam freely in countries like USA, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia.
• 3-year device warranty, if the device develops a fault through normal use during the warranty period, O2 will replace it or refund the customer for no extra cost.
• Up to 6 months of either Amazon Prime, Disney+, Audible, Cafeyin or McAfee protection, for no extra cost. 

O2 customers will also be able to get their hands on a Google Pixel Watch 2 (WiFi & Bluetooth inclusive, usually £349 RRP) when they purchase the Google Pixel 8 Pro or can choose a pair of Google Pixel Buds Pro (usually £179 RRP) with the Google Pixel 8.

Model	Price on a 128GB Plus Plan tariff	Tariff details
Google Pixel 8 Pro with a Google Pixel Watch 2 (WiFi & Bluetooth inclusive)	£669	1GB (data per month) Unlimited calls and texts Inclusive EU roaming as standard Exclusive access to Priority O2 Extras including 6-month Disney
Google Pixel 8 with a pair of Google Pixel Buds Pro	£999

O2 customers can also benefit from:

• Flexibility: O2 customers have the flexibility to choose a mobile plan that suits their budget, including the upfront cost they pay and the length of their 0% APR Device Plan. They can also flex their data allowance up or down each month to ensure it suits their needs.
• EU roaming: O2 is the only major UK network to offer inclusive EU roaming as standard, up to 25GB. Customers can enjoy using their airtime at no extra cost while they’re away.
• Priority from O2: Virgin Media broadband and O2 customers can benefit from Priority from O2, which offers exclusive deals, discounts and pre-sale ticket access to the hottest gigs in town.
• O2 Extras: O2 customers can get their hands on Disney+, Amazon Prime, Amazon Audible or many more, free on O2 for up to 6 months depending on their tariff.
• Split contracts: O2 is also the only mobile network operator to automatically and fully roll down all direct customers onto an airtime only plan, ensuring they never overpay for a phone they already own.

O2 recently launched an easy-to-use online calculator to help consumers (of any major network) check if they have, or are at risk of, overpaying for their handset. For more information visit: Overpayment Calculator – Save on your Phone Bill | O2

ENDS

Notes to Editor

T&C gift of purchase:

• Available now until 16 October 2023
• Only available on refresh plan
• Only one gift per mobile number
• Customer must claim the gift by redemption https://reward-promos.com/launch2023

* Plus Plans worth up to £269 terms: Total figure based on comparison of inclusive Plus Plan benefits vs standard cost if added to a Custom Plan, consisting of: (i) O2 Travel Inclusive Zone bolt-on (average cost £2pm – calculated over 36 months), (ii) O2 Switch Up (usual cost £3.99pm – calculated over 36 months), (iii) an additional Extra (usual cost up to £7.99pm – calculated for Disney+ over 3 months), & (iv) Apple Music (usual cost £9.99pm – calculated over 3 months). Value of other inclusive Plus Plan benefits not included in total figure.

The post O2 customers can save up to £288 on Plus Plan tariffs with the new Google Pixel range appeared first on Virgin Media O2.

Source: O2 Blog
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• Virgin Media O2 has used a helicopter to deliver new 4G masts to the remote island of Islay, which has been welcomed by Jenni Minto, the MSP for Argyll and Bute, and Councillor Liz McCabe during a visit to the site.
• As part of its commitment to the £1bn Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, Virgin Media O2 will be building six new partial not-spot masts on the island.
• Argyll and Bute is one of the areas that will benefit most from SRN upgrades, with over 60 sites set to be built in the area that will boost 4G coverage across the region by 25%.

Jenni Minto, the MSP for Argyll and Bute, and Councillor Liz McCabe, Policy Lead for Islands and Business Development at Argyll and Bute Council, have both welcomed Virgin Media O2’s investment in Argyll and Bute during a visit to the first of six new 4G masts being built on the island of Islay which will significantly boost mobile connectivity in the area.

During a visit to one of the company’s new 4G masts on the island, which has been delivered by helicopter to the remote location, the MP and councillor were updated on Virgin Media O2’s progress in building more than 60 sites in Argyll and Bute as part of the Shared Rural Network Programme.

Thanks to upgrade works underway, the region is set to benefit from a complete transformation in mobile connectivity which will tackle countless not-spots and areas of patchy signal.

Islay is the latest part of Argyll and Bute to receive a mobile boost and represents Virgin Media O2’s first new island mast as part of the upgrade programme. These new upgrades will provide residents, as well as businesses and visitors to the area, with faster and more reliable mobile connectivity than ever before, making it easier to access online services and stay connected with friends and family, while also offering them a greater choice of provider.

Currently, just 60% of Argyll and Bute benefits from 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators – Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, EE and Three. This will increase by 25% after all Shared Rural Network upgrades have been delivered.

Jenni Minto, the MSP for Argyll and Bute, said: “I welcome Virgin Media O2’s investment in Argyll and Bute that will help ensure that my constituents have access to reliable mobile connectivity. For too long, many rural areas like this one have been at a disadvantage when it comes to connectivity.

“It is fantastic to see how the company is bringing mobile coverage to the beautiful island of Islay, which will have a positive impact for the businesses, residents, and visitors to the area. I believe that Virgin Media O2 is really setting an example of how to properly invest in rural networks.”

Councillor Liz McCabe, Policy Lead for Islands and Business Development, said: “It is fantastic to see the investment that is being made by Virgin Media O2, bringing much needed rural mobile connectivity to Argyll and Bute as part of the Shared Rural Network programme.

“Argyll and Bute has languished behind other areas due to our geography and logistical challenges, including 22 inhabited islands. However, over the last number of years significant investment has been made and we have seen major coverage improvements. The Shared Rural Network programme will enhance this further with multiple operator coverage improvements to many parts of our remote rural areas.”

Paul Kells, Director of Network, Strategy and Engineering at Virgin Media O2, said: “The industry’s Shared Rural Network initiative is making a real, tangible difference to people’s lives. At Virgin Media O2, we are committed to playing our part in bringing reliable 4G coverage to rural locations all over Britain to help bridge the digital divide between rural and urban communities.

“Many rural parts of Scotland are already benefiting from our rollout of new and upgraded masts, and nowhere will benefit more from our investment than the Argyll and Bute area, where we are working to upgrade more than 60 sites as part of our commitment to the Shared Rural Network programme.”

Jenni Minto MSP and Councillor Liz McCabe’s visit to Islay took place just months after Virgin Media O2 announced it had reached a landmark 50^th Shared Rural Network site, bringing reliable 4G coverage to an area approximately the size of Lanarkshire. The company has also secured planning consent for works at a further 100 sites, meaning work can begin in even more communities in the near future.

The post Net from the chopper: Virgin Media O2 uses helicopter to deliver improved 4G coverage to the island of Islay appeared first on Virgin Media O2.

Source: O2 Blog
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• Decision makers cite financial constraints (50%), lack of staff capacity (38%) and a lack of strategy (19%) as hindering sustainability progress and investment in social causes.
• Despite 89% of business leaders expecting carbon footprint transparency from suppliers, 69% aren’t receiving enough information to track the carbon footprint of products from suppliers or can’t rely on the accuracy of what is available.
• 64% of business decision makers believe they could be better equipped to leverage technology to fast-track progress to achieve sustainability and social goals.
• To help UK firms, Virgin Media O2 Business launches ‘Carbon Calculator’ and ‘Tech Donation Programme’ to support customers’ sustainability efforts.

October 4, 2023: To help business customers understand their carbon tracking and prioritise digital inclusion, Virgin Media O2 Business has today launched two new solutions: the ‘Carbon Calculator’ and ‘Tech Donation Programme’. This comes as new research reveals organisations are feeling pressure to make sustainable changes to meet the UK Government’s 2050 net zero target, with a quarter of businesses (25%) without or unsure if they even have an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.

For organisations struggling to further prioritise sustainability, financial constraints (50%), lack of staff capacity (38%) and a lack of strategy (19%) are among the key blockers to progress. However, firms cannot afford to fall behind on their ESG goals, as potential consequences range from struggling to attract increasingly eco-conscious customers and employees to risking hefty fines for non-compliance with government legislation.

Three-quarters of surveyed organisations have established ESG strategies or goals, but there’s a gap between intention and action. Almost two-thirds (64%) believe they could better leverage technology to accelerate progress, which is why Virgin Media O2 Business has launched two new ESG tools for customers – at no extra cost.

Carbon Calculator

While the majority of business leaders surveyed (89%) expect transparency from suppliers on their carbon impact, over two-thirds (69%) aren’t receiving enough information to track the carbon footprint of products from suppliers or can’t rely on the accuracy of the information. To support these organisations, Virgin Media O2 Business’ ‘Carbon Calculator’ aims to provide clear and trustworthy information on emissions related to their services.

In minutes, the calculator generates insights based on the customer’s service information, inputted by an account manager, and forms the basis of a yearly report on their carbon footprint. With the model verified by the Carbon Trust as conforming to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Lifecycle Standard, decision makers can use the information from the calculator to understand the impact their telecoms services have on their overall carbon footprint, helping them contribute meaningfully to the Net Zero agenda.

Tech Donation Programme

Over half (54%) of consumers consider a company’s commitment to ESG as an important factor in their purchasing decisions. However, only 12% believe companies are taking significant strides to address social and environmental issues through their products, services and operations.

The ‘Tech Donation Programme’, offered in collaboration with Hubbub and Community Calling, ensures partners can make an immediate impact on digital inclusion, without further financial or time commitment. The programme empowers Virgin Media O2 Business customers to drive tangible social impact by offering free refurbished smartphones, mobile data, texts and calls to digitally excluded demographics, specifically 11–16 year-olds and those aged 65+. Customers can choose the location and demographic to receive donated devices. When the donation has been received by the community group, the customer will get an impact report that can be used in their own ESG reports.

Virgin Media O2 Business’s ‘Carbon Calculator’ and ‘Tech Donation Programme’ also supports organisations to lower their Scope 3 supply chain carbon emissions. This is achieved by providing transparency into the carbon consumption of select Virgin Media O2 Business services, as well as ensuring that devices donated are more likely to be given a second life.

To find out more about the Carbon Calculator and Tech Donation Programme, visit: virginmediao2business.co.uk/sustainability

Jo Bertram, Managing Director at Virgin Media O2 Business said: “Beyond target setting, consumers want to see measurable changes when it comes to sustainability. Organisations are looking for transparency and support from their suppliers to reach social and environmental goals, and technology can be a useful tool for this progression.

The introduction of the ‘Carbon Calculator’ and ‘Tech Donation Programme’ underscores our commitment to reach Net Zero and eliminate digital poverty together with partners. We are ready to guide organisations as they work toward achieving less where it matters – less carbon, less waste and less inequality.”

Tom Cumberlege, Director at the Carbon Trust said: “We were pleased to work with Virgin Media O2 to provide verification of the model that underpins its new Carbon Calculator. Greater transparency and access to credible data are fundamental steps in the Net Zero transition and this tool will allow business customers to understand the carbon impact of the Virgin Media O2 services they use. We look forward to seeing how customers respond to the tool.”

Emily Watson, Senior Creative Partner at Hubbub said: “At Hubbub, our purpose is to inspire action that’s good for the environment and for everyone. We find positive social and environmental impacts come hand in hand. We are excited to collaborate with Virgin Media O2 Business on the Tech Donation Programme, a transformative initiative that will help bridge the digital divide and empower organisations to extend their ESG efforts beyond their immediate boundaries.”

-ENDS- 

Notes to Editors

Additional Customer Quotes

Steve Packer, Strategic Engagement Manager, RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) said: “The Tech Donation Programme will be of great benefit to people with sight loss who are twice as likely to be digitally excluded when compared to the general population. If current trends continue over the next six years nearly all people in the UK will be online, but it’ll take an additional eight years before nearly all people with sight loss are online. Programmes like this help close that gap.”

Lindsay Harling, Head of Commissioning and Procurement at Fedcap said: “Understanding the carbon impact of the products and services we use is a vital first step to reduce emissions across our business. While we understand our own emissions, supplier emissions can often be difficult to track. Virgin Media O2 Business’ carbon calculator has taken the environmental guesswork out of the equation and is helping us progress against our ESG goals.”

Disclaimer
Model outputs do not constitute a verified product/organisation footprint.

Methodology
Commissioned by Virgin Media O2 Business, Censuswide surveyed 1,203 respondents working in UK businesses in organisations with more than 11 staff and in the private and public sector between 10.08.2023 – 17.08.2023, and 1,000 General Consumers (aged 16+) between 10.08.23 – 14.08.23.

Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on ESOMAR principles.

The post Virgin Media O2 Business launches new ESG tools as two-thirds of UK firms still unclear about their carbon footprint appeared first on Virgin Media O2.

Source: O2 Blog
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• Virgin Media O2 is giving its TV customers the chance to enjoy top kids and teen shows at no extra cost throughout October
• Families can watch 100’s of episodes from channels such as Sky Kids, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr and Nicktoons
• Popular shows included in the October giveaway include Monster High 2, Teen Titans Go!, PAW Patrol and Fireman Sam

Virgin Media O2 is giving its TV customers access to its full range of premium kids’ channels at no extra cost to help keep families entertained throughout October.

From today until 31 October, all Virgin TV customers will be given access to additional kids TV channels including Sky Kids, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr and Nicktoons.

The suite of children’s TV channels, which would normally cost £5 per month, is Virgin Media O2’s way of saying thank you to customers and helping to keep families entertained throughout October, including half term, with a host of popular shows available to watch at home or on the go.

This includes Pip and Posy Let’s Learn (Sky Kids), Monster High 2 (Nickelodeon), PAW Patrol – Jungle Pups (Nick Jr) and Teen Titans Go! (Cartoon Network) so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

All shows will also be available on demand so families can tune in and catch up at a time that suits them.

David Bouchier, Chief TV & Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “With half-term just around the corner, and lots of households feeling the pinch, we’re giving families a helping hand to stay entertained this October with a host of premium kids and teen TV channels available at no extra cost. It’s all part of our focus to deliver a range of top-quality entertainment all year round so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

In recent years, Virgin Media has given its customers access to a range of top kids, entertainment, fitness and sport channels at no extra cost.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Virgin Media is making its full range of kids pay TV channels and on-demand programming available to all customers, at no extra cost, until 06:00 31 October. They are: Sky Kids, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Nick Jr Too and Nicktoons.
• The premium channels are part of the Kids TV Pick, priced at £5 per month, with BabyTV available at an additional £5 per month.

The post Virgin Media O2 gives TV customers access to hundreds of kids’ shows throughout October at no extra cost appeared first on Virgin Media O2.

Source: O2 Blog
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• The global icon performed to an intimate crowd at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday night – 25 years after she last performed at the legendary venue
• Kylie performed songs from her brand new album ‘Tension’ including ‘Padam Padam’, ‘Story’ and the title track, as well as fan-favourites ‘Spinning Around’, ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ and ‘Wow’.
• The gig was held exclusively for O2 customers and Virgin Media broadband who won tickets in a ballot courtesy of Priority from O2
• Prior to the gig, Kylie met some of her biggest fans backstage

Pop superstar, Kylie Minogue, performed to an intimate crowd at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday night (27 September), with fans treated to tracks from her new album and some of her most iconic songs.

The global icon performed to a crowd of 2,000 fans made up exclusively of O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers after more than 100,000 people applied for tickets via a ballot courtesy of Priority from O2.

Kylie delighted the crowd with fan-favourites including Spinning Around, Can’t Get You Out of My Head and Wow, as well as a very special performance of ‘Breathe’ as a nod to the last show she did at the venue twenty five years ago. Kylie also played several songs from her brand new album, ‘Tension’, which was released last week.

Five lucky fans also got a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with Kylie before the gig during an exclusive meet and greet in which they got the chance to pose for pictures.

Harry Rudge, from Essex, who met Kylie, said: “Meeting Kylie was absolutely amazing. She was very cool and down to earth and chatted to us for ages – we had a really nice time. It’s so cool that I got this opportunity through Priority from O2.”

Gareth Griffiths, Director, Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, said: “Wow, what a show! Priority from O2 gives our customers exclusive and intimate access to the world’s finest music talent at the UK’s most iconic venues. Kylie’s performance at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire was absolutely incredible, an artist right at the top of her game. We can’t wait to bring our customers even more unmissable gigs through Priority”.

Kylie Minogue’s performance at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire is Priority from O2’s latest exclusive concert for Virgin Media broadband and O2 customers. Other gigs have included Wizkid in London in 2021 and Sam Fender in Newcastle in 2022.

Priority is O2’s way of saying thanks to its customers and is available exclusively to those with an O2 mobile plan or Virgin Media broadband services. In addition to early ticket access to events at The O2, the O2 Academy network and other popular venues across the UK, Priority members can benefit from free bag drop, queue jump, cloakroom services, phone charging, VIP hospitality and discounts on merchandise.

ENDS

The post Kylie Minogue dazzles fans at intimate show at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire appeared first on Virgin Media O2.

Source: O2 Blog
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• Tariffs for the Sony Xperia 5 V Black 128GB start from £30.64 a month with 1GB of data and £30 upfront. 
• Customers who purchase the new phone will also be able to get their hands on Sony noise cancelling headphones at no extra cost. 
• The device will be available to order on O2 as network exclusive from 28th September. 
• Customers can purchase the brand-new phone here: Sony Mobile Phones | O2 

The brand-new Sony Xperia 5 V is now available network exclusively on an O2 Custom Plan or Plus Plan, offering customers complete flexibility and control to pick a mobile plan that truly works for them.  

Those who purchase the device from O2 before 1 November can also claim a pair of Sony WH-CH720N wireless noise cancelling headphones at no extra cost (RRP £99.99). 

O2 is offering the Sony Xperia 5 V Black 128GB from just £30.64 a month (£30 upfront) with 1GB of data. 

Features of the Sony Xperia 5 V: 

• Sony’s new generation mobile sensor uses innovative 2-layer pixel tech to capture more light than ever – even at night. Clever AI automatically optimises the focus, white balance and exposure. 
• Users can delve into creating videos using slow-motion, live streaming, and audience chats3456 – perfect for vloggers who want to stand out from the competition.  
• With Xperia 5 V’s supremely bright display, you can watch for 24+ hours from a single full charge2, and if you’re ever lost on what to watch, click the BRAVIA CORE for Xperia app to choose from hundreds of movies in high-quality. 
• With a 5,000mAh battery, the phone will last until the next morning – still with up to 50% left. The Xperia Adaptive Charging is designed to keep the device’s battery healthy for up to three years while enjoying wireless charging​. 

Brilliant benefits on O2: 

• EU Roaming: All O2 customers can enjoy inclusive EU roaming as standard, up to 25GB. 
• Priority by O2: Virgin Media broadband and O2 customers can also benefit from Priority from O2, which offers exclusive deals, discounts and pre-sale ticket access to the hottest gigs in town. 
• Flexibility: O2 customers have the flexibility to choose a mobile plan that suits their budget, including the upfront cost they pay and the length of their 0% APR Device Plan. They can also flex their data allowance up or down each month to ensure it suits their needs.  
• Extras: O2 customers can get their hands on Disney+, Amazon Prime, Amazon Audible or many more, free on O2 for up to 6 months depending on their tariff.   

• Split contracts: O2 is also the only mobile network operator to automatically and fully roll down all direct customers onto an airtime only plan, ensuring they never overpay for a phone they already own. 

O2 recently launched an easy-to-use online calculator to help consumers (of any major network) check if they have, or are at risk of, overpaying for their handset. For more information visit: Overpayment Calculator – Save on your Phone Bill | O2 

ENDS 

The post The new Sony Xperia 5 V is now available as a network exclusive from O2 with a free pair of Sony headphones worth RRP £99.99 appeared first on Virgin Media O2.

Source: O2 Blog
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• Virgin Media O2 has partnered with Cannon Hall Farm and Springtime on the Farm presenter Jules Hudson to create the “Connected Farm of the Future” to demonstrate the transformative power of connectivity in the agriculture sector.
• The showcase sees the operator enable mobile communication from anywhere on the farm and install a network of sensors to monitor everything from soil conditions, machinery, livestock, and land boundaries.
• Economic modelling by the Cebr for Virgin Media O2 finds access to excellent digital connectivity¹ in rural areas could increase turnover for rural agriculture businesses by nearly 10%, adding an extra £2.5 billion to the UK economy and creating more than thirty thousand new jobs.
• Through the Shared Rural Network programme, Virgin Media O2 has recently upgraded mobile coverage in an area covering almost 2,200km² and is calling for stronger collaboration between policy makers, planning authorities and land owners to accelerate coverage enhancements.

Virgin Media O2 has created the “Connected Farm of the Future” in a trial with Cannon Hall Farm in Barnsley, designed to showcase how enhanced mobile connectivity could transform rural agriculture.

Virgin Media O2 is bringing connectivity to every corner of Cannon Hall Farm’s 126-acre estate, including historic blackspots and not-spots, to explore how a network of sensors and monitors can work together to transform the farm, saving valuable time and money. The trial helps create a blueprint for the future of farming that could help unlock an additional £2.5 billion for the UK economy and create 30,390 additional rural jobs according to new economic modelling by Cebr for Virgin Media O2.

Agriculture has faced some of the toughest challenges over the past few years, from extreme weather changes to labour shortages compounded by Brexit and the pandemic. In DEFRA’s latest Farmer Opinion Tracker, farmers on over half (52%) of holdings do not feel positive about their own future in farming, up from 41% in 2022. Virgin Media O2, Cannon Hall Farm and Jules Hudson have designed the “Connected Farm of the Future” trial to help the industry combat these challenges.

Countryman and TV Presenter for ‘Springtime on The Farm’ and ‘Escape to the Country’, Jules Hudson commented “Agriculture and farming is the largest rural industry in the UK and sits at the heart of many communities across the country. The last few years have been extremely challenging for farmers, and the research from Virgin Media O2 coupled with this trial, highlight the potential for rural farming and agriculture to be transformed with ever more useful technologies. British agriculture faces great uncertainties, but without it the foundation of our rural communities would disappear. If Virgin Media O2 and other leading industry partners can develop ways of further supporting our farmers, it will play a crucial role in the fight to keep Britain farming and thriving.” 

Virgin Media O2 has boosted its network across Cannon Hall Farm to remove signal blackspots and not-spots, providing a reliable and high-speed mobile network to the area. This supports the testing of several connected technology use cases across the farm, including:

Protecting valuable assets

As the two most common rural crimes, equipment and livestock theft cost the rural agriculture industry a combined £49.5 million in 2022 alone. Compounding the issue are gates being left open on public footpaths that run around and through many farms, leading to livestock escaping fields and being lost or injured.

Trackers, sensors and switches like those installed across Cannon Hall Farm’s equipment, livestock and gates as part of this trial enable the farmers to monitor in real time the location of these high-value items or receive alerts about gates left open. This means that farmers can be alerted instantly if equipment moves unexpectedly or leaves the farm, helping minimise the risk of loss and freeing up time previously spent doing manual checks.

Enhancing safety

With farmers often working alone across big areas and remote locations with little to no signal, access to connectivity can be a game changer, and in the most extreme instances be the difference between life and death. According to data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), agriculture has the highest workplace injury rate of 4,100 per 100,000 workers, 3.5 times higher than the all-industry average. The trial improves safety by removing not-spots, providing reliable mobile signal across the farm and giving workers the ability to get help should they need it.

Optimising yields

Over the past 30 years, major crop yields have decreased globally by 4-10% due to climate change. To combat the impact of increasingly extreme and unpredictable weather events such as floods and droughts on crop viability and yield, part of the trial sees the installation of connected soil moisture, atmospheric temperature and humidity sensors. These sensors show the potential to monitor the health of crops and assess irrigation needs, reduce water use, improve crop quality and allow for targeted interventions based on real-time conditions.

Rob Nicholson, Owner of Cannon Hall Farm said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Virgin Media O2 to trial the “Connected Farm of the Future”. Rural connectivity opens the door to a range of new technologies than could completely change farming as we know it. Being able to monitor in real-time soil and atmospheric conditions, provide remote support and have round-the-clock monitoring of livestock, machinery and equipment is a total game-changer. The potential for this technology to help create a more efficient, profitable and sustainable future for not only our family farm but many other farms across the UK is huge.” 

Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2 said “This trial is an example of the transformational power of connectivity and how it’s being used to power a Great Rural Revival. Through this innovative trial with Cannon Hall Farm, we have demonstrated how a network of sensors, underpinned by excellent connectivity, can make a real impact and transform the way we live and work in rural areas. 

“We will continue to work with industry partners, the UK Government, planning authorities and landowners to deliver the network upgrades to provide faster and more reliable coverage that is essential for rural communities to thrive both now and in the future.”

Boosting UK agriculture   

The Great Rural Revival shows that improved rural connectivity could boost the UK economy by £65.1 billion and increase employment by 6.8% through the creation of hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

The report finds potential for the rural agriculture sector to increase turnover by 9.4% and boost employment, equating to an extra £2.5 billion per year and 30,390 additional jobs. However, as part of the economic modelling, decision makers within the agriculture sector were asked if they currently make use of connectivity and the results highlight the digital divide between urban and rural agriculture firms. When it comes to using connectivity for video calling / conferencing, fleet management, remote stock / inventory management or making and receiving mobile phone calls, agriculture firms in urban areas significantly outscore their rural counterparts: for example, a third (33%) of urban agriculture firms use connectivity for remote stock checking / inventory management compared to only 4% of rural businesses.

Robert Beauchamp, Managing Economist Cebr comments “Our analysis underscores the huge potential for improved connectivity to drive forward employment and turnover growth in the UK’s agricultural sector. As a predominantly rural industry, it stands to reap significant benefits from the resolution of today’s rural connectivity challenges, unlocking new opportunities for the widespread adoption of digitally-enabled technologies.”

Virgin Media O2’s commitment to rural connectivity 

Virgin Media O2 remains committed to investing to boost connectivity in rural communities and tackling signal not-spots. As part of the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network (SRN), this year the company further expanded its reliable 4G network to an additional 50 sites and secured planning consent for work at a further 100 sites.

While SRN upgrades continue to be delivered at pace, Virgin Media O2 is calling on policy makers, planning authorities and landlords to remove obstacles and ensure rural communities fulfil their potential. Specifically, the company wants rules in place making it faster, easier and lower-cost to provide the infrastructure that is required to deliver the connectivity customers rely on.

The post The Great Rural Revival: Virgin Media O2 trials connected farm of the future at Cannon Hall Farm to showcase the future of UK agriculture appeared first on Virgin Media O2.

Source: O2 Blog
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