Liberty Global has released details of a new project that utilizes the network infrastructure of its UK subsidiary, Virgin Media, to help revolutionise on-street electric vehicle charging.
Leveraging Virgin Media’s 40,000 powered street cabinets and 170,000 km of ducts, Liberty Global’s project has been created in partnership with Innovate UK, the UK government’s research and innovation department, to help local authorities find a solution to limited on-street electric vehicle charging points and thereby encourage more people to use electric vehicles.
In addition to tapping Virgin Media’s powered network infrastructure, the project utilises the UK operator’s construction and deployment capabilities and its trusted relationships with local authority partners.
Over the next 18 months, Liberty Global aims to deploy and operate 1,200 charging sockets across the country through the project. The rollout of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations using Virgin Media’s connectivity will build a fully scalable electric vehicle charging network, helping the UK government move closer to its goal of reducing net carbon emissions to zero by 2050.
Liberty Global offers converged video, broadband and communications companies, with operations in six European countries under the consumer brands Virgin Media, Telenet and UPC. The company has invested in the infrastructure and digital platforms that empower users to make the most of the digital revolution.
Its substantial scale and commitment to innovation has led to key products delivered through next-generation networks that connect 11 million customers subscribing to 25 million TV, broadband internet and telephony services. Liberty Global also serves 6 million mobile subscribers and offer WiFi service through millions of access points across its footprint.
In addition, Liberty Global owns 50 percent of VodafoneZiggo, a joint venture in the Netherlands with 4 million customers subscribing to 10 million fixed-line and 5 million mobile services, as well as significant investments in ITV, All3Media, ITI Neovision, LionsGate, the Formula E racing series and several regional sports networks.
Liberty Global is taking part in the project as part of a 19-strong consortium working under the project name Virgin Media Park & Charge. The consortium includes delivery partners Vattenfall and SMS plc and specialist technology partners Cenex, Ginger Town, Fully Charged, Connected Kerb, DETA and Loughborough University.
This is in addition to several local authorities including the West Midlands Combined Authority as well as Councils in Oxfordshire, Liverpool, Southend on Sea, Worcestershire, Wandsworth, Croydon, Northamptonshire, Hammersmith & Fulham and Belfast.
“Leveraging street cabinets allows Liberty Global to look beyond traditional uses of telecom infrastructure and make a positive impact on the environment and in communities throughout the UK,” said Jason Simpson, Vice President Global Energy and Utilities for Liberty Global. “By bringing more electric vehicle chargers and associated connectivity to Britain’s streets, we are making a significant contribution to Innovate UK’s ambition to encourage more people to buy electric cars. We’re excited to be working with a wide array of partners who each bring their own areas of expertise to this exciting and innovative project.”
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