Virgin Media Business has been awarded a place on four lots, including the unified services lot, on the new Public Services Network (PSN) Services Framework announced by the Government Procurement Service today.

Today's announcement follows on from Virgin Media Business being awarded a place on the recent PSN Connectivity Framework. As a result of both achievements, public sector organisations can now access all of Virgin Media Business' communications services and also choose to underpin them with the company's fast and secure nationwide fibre-optic network. So, public sector organisations looking to revolutionise the way they work and communicate can do so with Virgin Media Business all through PSN Frameworks, meaning better value and simple procurement.

Lee Hull, director, public sector, Virgin Media Business, explains: "By being part of the PSN Services Framework, we're able to give the public sector the opportunity to quickly get their hands on all the telecommunications technology they need. At last, the days of jumping through hoops and wading through multiple procurement processes are coming to an end for public sector CIOs.

"It's better that organisations are focused on using technology to improve frontline services, than spending months procuring each individual bit of technology separately. We're committed to making the lives of our customers easy and breaking down barriers to change and innovation. So I'm thrilled that we're able to make our services available through a simple and effective framework that will give the public sector what it needs quickly and effectively."

As well as being awarded a place on the unified services lot, Virgin Media Business expertise and heritage meant that it was also awarded a framework agreement by Government Procurement Service for CCTV, Conferencing and Gateway services.

Robert Parker, head of business development, Virgin Media Business, added: "We've built up a great reputation for providing ground-breaking services to the public sector. Just look at the work we've done with Lancashire and Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. We've helped them to roll out the Telestroke network that's enabling doctors to remotely diagnose and treat stroke patients early through high-speed video conferencing. So I'm very pleased we have been awarded a place on the Conferencing lot, to make this sort of innovation available to all of the public sector.

"We wanted to make sure that we were awarded places on the lots that could truly showcase the very best of what we have to offer. I'm really pleased to see that we've not only got an opportunity to share our conferencing services, but we're also able to challenge the status-quo by being selected to deliver gateway services. Up until now the public sector has had very little choice in who delivers gateway infrastructure, now CIOs can pick and choose a supplier that's the right fit and will work with them to deliver the very best service."

Virgin Media Business recently declared its commitment to a 'one government, one customer' approach as part of it being awarded a place on the PSN Connectivity Framework. From today, public sector organisations including central government will be able to access services and connectivity from Virgin Media Business through the two PSN frameworks.

-ENDS-

About Virgin Media Business
Virgin Media Business has the UK's only nationwide fibre optic network, carrying 35 per cent of all business broadband traffic. Already able to reach 85 per cent of businesses in the UK, Virgin Media Business has the ability to connect to all organisations. The largest business-to-business brand in the Virgin group, it prides itself on delivering innovative, high quality solutions that breakdown the barriers facing UK businesses today.

Staff are located at 40 offices across the country, meaning that Virgin Media Business really is closer to its customers. Organisations working with Virgin Media Business include London City Airport, Nottingham Building Society, Arqiva, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership and South West Water.

To see analysis on the current issues surrounding business-to-business telecoms please visit our blog or get involved and http://twitter.com/vmbusiness

About Public Services Network
The Public Services Network (PSN) is aligned with the Government ICT Strategy. PSN will substantially reduce the cost of communication services across UK Government and enable new, joined-up and shared public services for the benefit of citizens. PSN is creating one logical network, based on industry standards, and a more open and competitive ICT marketplace at the heart of UK Public Sector.

About Government Procurement Service
Government Procurement Service, an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, is the delivery arm of Government Procurement. Its overall priority is to provide procurement savings for central government, health and organisations across the UK public sector.

Its main focus is to deliver these savings through expert sourcing, category and centralised data management. By centralising, standardising and aggregating spend on common goods and services we deliver significant, sustainable cost reductions to Government.

Government Procurement Service provides value for money, commercial procurement solutions which are fully EU compliant, covering energy, office solutions, communications services, professional services, travel, fleet, IT commodities (including telecommunications and networks), property & facilities management and ecommerce.

Contact: John Brown - 0207 842 3274
John.brown@speedcommunications.com