Working with Virgin Media to rollout ultrafast broadband

Virgin Media’s Project Lightning programme is the largest private investment in the UK and Ireland’s digital infrastructure in more than a decade. It aims to bring the benefits of ultrafast broadband connectivity to millions of homes and businesses .

Given the complexity, size and scale of the programme, Arcadis is working closely with Virgin Media to provide certainty and predictability around cost and result. By helping to develop an effective operating model and business process, as well as identifying, tracking and managing the benefits of the programme, Arcadis was able to find a number of cost efficiencies. This helped Virgin Media establish the quickest and most effective route to market.  

In doing so, we defined and developed a strategic approach around Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA). PIA marks a disruptive change in the industry around developing ‘no build’ solutions. Arcadis assessed the impact of PIA on crucial parts of Virgin Media’s business that would be affected by the change. As a result, we were instrumental in developing an operating and resource model to support its implementation. 

Arcadis also worked with Virgin Media to provide Business Transformation support around strategic resourcing and procurement. Our work included reviewing and defining how cost savings could best be realised, and then providing support to ensure cost saving measures could be implemented effectively through a new and upskilled commercial management function.