Inbound Services from Virgin Media O2 Business
The Inbound service translates inbound calls to an NGN to a UK Geographic number. All calls are routed using call plans that can be configured through a web-based Buyer Portal. The service supports basic number translation (one-to-one routing) through to more complex call plans and provides comprehensive reporting capability.
Features
- One-to-One translations
- Hunt Groups, Time of Day/Week Diverts and Emergency Routing
- Network Queuing
- IVR
- Announcements
- Skills Based Routing
- Self-Serve Portal
- Real-Time and Historical Reporting
- New non-geographic numbers
- Ported non-geographic numbers
Benefits
- Highly resilient, reliable, cost-effective Inbound service
- Choice of four Call Plan Packages
- Easy to use self-service call plan builder portal
- Wide range of Inbound features including contact centre functionality
- Visibility of Inbound service performance with comprehensive reporting suite
- Wide range of non-geographic number ranges available
Pricing
£0.01 a unit a minute
- Education pricing available
Service documents
Request an accessible format
Framework
G-Cloud 14
Service ID
1 9 9 5 4 8 6 1 6 2 9 7 6 0 5
Contact
Virgin Media Business
Diane Murray
Telephone: 07973 622296
Email: publicprocurement@virginmedia.co.uk
Service scope
- Software add-on or extension
- No
- Cloud deployment model
- Public cloud
- Service constraints
- Not applicable
- System requirements
- Chrome and Firefox only for access to the portal
User support
- Email or online ticketing support
- No
- Phone support
- Yes
- Phone support availability
- 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Web chat support
- No
- Onsite support
- No
- Support levels
- Fault target restoration times: P1 - 4 working hours, P2 - 6 working hours and P3 - 10 working days.
- Support available to third parties
- No
Onboarding and offboarding
- Getting started
- Dependent upon the implementation plan, the Supplier will work closely with the Buyer to ensure onboarding is completed successfully. This is agreed prior to commencement of deployment. An Inbound Portal User Guide will be provided to Buyers.
- Service documentation
- Yes
- Documentation formats
- End-of-contract data extraction
- Buyers will be able to extract their own data (Call Plans and usage statistics) from the Portal. The Supplier can provide this data to the Buyer for an additional charge.
- End-of-contract process
- Buyers will be required to port out their numbers before the service is ceased. There may be additional costs if there are delays in porting out. Buyers can extract their own data (Call Plans and usage statistics) from the Portal. The Supplier can provide this data to the Buyer for an additional charge.
Using the service
- Web browser interface
- Yes
- Supported browsers
-
- Firefox
- Chrome
- Application to install
- No
- Designed for use on mobile devices
- No
- Service interface
- No
- User support accessibility
- None or don’t know
- API
- No
- Customisation available
- Yes
- Description of customisation
- Buyers have four Call Plan Packages to choose from; One to One, Scheduled, Interactive and Contact Lite. The Buyers Inbound service is designed to be fully self-serve by Buyers using the Portal enabling Buyers to amend existing Call Plans or build new Call Plans. Additionally, Buyers can create reports using the fields that are required by them and schedule reports to run on a regularity defined by the Buyer.
Scaling
- Independence of resources
- The service is scaled according to individual Buyer requirements. The platform has sufficient capacity to manage demand, with regular reviews. Therefore there will no impact from demand of other users.
Analytics
- Service usage metrics
- Yes
- Metrics types
- Buyers will be able to access a range of real-time reports and historical reports on both the Inbound Number and the Destination Number from the Portal. Buyers can create run ad-hoc reports or schedule reports. Buyers can also download call logs from the Portal.
- Reporting types
-
- Real-time dashboards
- Regular reports
Resellers
- Supplier type
- Not a reseller
Staff security
- Staff security clearance
- Other security clearance
- Government security clearance
- Up to Security Clearance (SC)
Asset protection
- Knowledge of data storage and processing locations
- Yes
- Data storage and processing locations
-
- United Kingdom
- European Economic Area (EEA)
- User control over data storage and processing locations
- No
- Datacentre security standards
- Supplier-defined controls
- Penetration testing frequency
- At least once a year
- Penetration testing approach
- ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a Tigerscheme qualified provider or a CREST-approved service provider
- Protecting data at rest
-
- Physical access control, complying with another standard
- Encryption of all physical media
- Data sanitisation process
- No
- Equipment disposal approach
- A third-party destruction service
Data importing and exporting
- Data export approach
- Buyers can download Call Detail Records for all of their Inbound Numbers as well as create bespoke reports which can be exported in CSV format. Buyers can also export their Call Plans in PDF format.
- Data export formats
-
- CSV
- Other
- Other data export formats
- Data import formats
- Other
- Other data import formats
- Not applicable
Data-in-transit protection
- Data protection between buyer and supplier networks
- Other
- Other protection between networks
- Access to the Portal is through a web URL (https). Authentication is done using User ID and Password. Each Buyer's data is segregated per Buyer and cannot be accessed by any other Buyer. Extensive penetration testing has been completed and is repeated every 12 months.
- Data protection within supplier network
- Other
- Other protection within supplier network
- The platform is highly secure, adhering to appropriate UK security standards required for Inbound services. It is deployed within the Supplier's stringent security design architecture.
Availability and resilience
- Guaranteed availability
- The Supplier will make the platform available according to an SLA of 99.999%. Service Credits are detailed in the Supplier's SLA document.
- Approach to resilience
- The Inbound platform is fully geo resilient across two PoPs. Each PoP can carry all of the traffic and within each PoP equipment has local redundancy with High Availability pairs.
- Outage reporting
- Notification of outages and other planned works scheduled on the platform, will be managed to the Buyer via the Supplier's process.
Identity and authentication
- User authentication needed
- Yes
- User authentication
- Username or password
- Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels
- Not applicable
- Access restriction testing frequency
- At least once a year
- Management access authentication
- 2-factor authentication
Audit information for users
- Access to user activity audit information
- No audit information available
- Access to supplier activity audit information
- No audit information available
- How long system logs are stored for
- At least 12 months
Standards and certifications
- ISO/IEC 27001 certification
- Yes
- Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001
- British Standards Institution
- ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
- 23/01/2022
- What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
- The ISO 27001 certificate covers the protection of Buyer and Supplier employee information that is managed within the Supplier's organisation.
- ISO 28000:2007 certification
- No
- CSA STAR certification
- No
- PCI certification
- No
- Cyber essentials
- Yes
- Cyber essentials plus
- Yes
- Other security certifications
- Yes
- Any other security certifications
-
- ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management
- ISO 20000 IT Service Management
Security governance
- Named board-level person responsible for service security
- Yes
- Security governance certified
- Yes
- Security governance standards
-
- ISO/IEC 27001
- Other
- Other security governance standards
- • Cyber Essentials Plus • ISO 20000 IT Service Management • ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management • ISO 9001 Quality Management System
- Information security policies and processes
- The Supplier has its own information security policy based on ISO 27001, with established internal processes for handling security events. The Supplier has in place security teams dedicated to specific areas, and is audited regularly by external auditors to ensure compliance.
Operational security
- Configuration and change management standard
- Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
- Configuration and change management approach
- The Supplier follows an internal configuration and change management process. Each change is processed through the following stages: Identifying the details of the change; Assessing the operational and security impact of the change; Gaining approval of the change; Authorising and scheduling the change; Notifying stakeholders about the change; Implementing the change; and Closing the change following review.
- Vulnerability management type
- Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
- Vulnerability management approach
- Processes based on ISO 27001 standards are in place to discover security vulnerabilities involving a combination of vendor notifications, authenticated/unauthenticated vulnerability scanning using industry-leading security platforms and penetration testing. Risks are recorded, tracked and mitigated through an internal risk management framework.
- Protective monitoring type
- Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
- Protective monitoring approach
- We have a Systems Logging and Monitoring process governs protective monitoring. We use automated logging extensively using SIEM software in our network and IT infrastructure. This monitors user activity, configuration changes and to measure performance/compliance. We also use a range of tools to inspect, analyse and risk assess device event logs to detect suspicious activity incidents as well as report on overall pattern of usage. All potential compromises and incidents are tagged with a priority category and response times will vary depending on their priority level.
- Incident management type
- Conforms to a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v3.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
- Incident management approach
- Our Incident Management approach is based on ISO 27001 standards. It governs the processes in place to manage incidents detected by our monitoring systems or reported by Buyer. The process defines how the Supplier will manage the lifecycle of an incident, from identification to closure. The process includes pre-defined processes for common events. Users can report incidents to the Supplier's IT Service Desk. All information related to incidents are logged on our system to provide a full audit trail.
Secure development
- Approach to secure software development best practice
- Conforms to a recognised standard, but self-assessed
Public sector networks
- Connection to public sector networks
- No
Social Value
- Social Value
-
Social Value
- Fighting climate change
- Covid-19 recovery
- Tackling economic inequality
- Equal opportunity
- Wellbeing
Fighting climate change
The Supplier’s approach to protecting the environment is detailed in our Environment Policy and guided by certification to internationally recognised standards and systems including ISO14001:2015. The Supplier has internal policies regulating water usage, waste disposal, minimising single-use plastics and carbon emission reduction.
In April 2023, we received validation from the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) for the following carbon-reduction goals:
• Net zero by 2040 with a 90% reduction in value chain emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3).
• Reducing operational emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 90% and scope 3 emissions by 50% by the end of 2030.
• Reducing operational emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 60% and scope 3 emissions by 25% by the end of 2025.
As of February 2024, the Supplier has reduced operational emissions by 45% (baseline FY2020). Here are some examples of the actions we’re implementing to achieve our goals:
• A stringent Code of Conduct requiring suppliers to have a board-approved carbon reduction plan with SBTi-aligned Net Zero goals and interim targets.
• Continuing to source 100% renewable electricity to power our network where we control the bill.
• Delivering a Mast De-Carbonisation Project to drive the landlords of third-party sites to source green electricity. In 2023, the Supplier has de-carbonised 1,128 masts.
• Transitioning our fleet of over 4,000 vehicles to electric by the end of 2030.
• Free-of-charge carbon footprint estimations for our solutions, so customers are better equipped to implement technology sustainably. Our model has been certified by the Carbon Trust.
The Supplier also aims to achieve zero waste operations and zero waste products by the end of 2025. To support this, all customers (including public sector organisations) can receive cash for trading in their unwanted devices and a minimum of 95% of this waste is recycled.Covid-19 recovery
Immediate response to the pandemic:
The Supplier’s priority during the COVID-19 pandemic was to ensure that communities were safe and supported. Actions included:
• Providing 40GB of free data a month to support home-schooling families struggling to connect during lockdown.
• Offering any customer who worked for the NHS an extra 10GB of data monthly for six months from Summer 2020.
• Partnering with environmental charity, Hubbub, to launch ‘Community Calling’, which works with 400+ local community organisations to re-distribute smartphones to people who need them most.
• Offering vulnerable customers on mobile contracts unlimited minutes and an extra 10GB of data
• Launching an Essential Broadband tariff for existing customers who receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance and/or Income-based Employment Support.
Continued support for those impacted by COVID-19:
The Supplier recognises that COVID-19 exacerbated existing economic and social challenges, and created new ones, so we’re continuing to contribute to economic recovery and support the most vulnerable. Actions include:
• Continuing to provide return-to-work opportunities – the Supplier recently announced 200 new entry-level positions being created in 2024.
• To ensure our customers can access the information they need, the Supplier offers over 60 zero-rate sites including National Energy Action, Citizens Advice and National Debtline.
• 9.7 million people are now eligible to benefit from the Supplier’s Essential Broadband tariff.
• In 2022, the Supplier provided a £400,000 grant fund to launch the Tech Lending Community. This initiative makes tablets and free data available to community organisations supporting vulnerable individuals across the UK, all while extending the life of second-hand tech.
• In June 2021, the Supplier announced its support for the ‘Together Coalition’, by offering grants of £1,000 to 400 small charities that champion and celebrate the community spirit, belonging and togetherness across the UK.Tackling economic inequality
The Supplier is committed to tackling economic inequality across the UK. This includes:
• Hiring over 2,600 apprentices since our award-winning scheme began in 2008. Our ‘blind recruitment’ process opens opportunities to those who have potential but may lack relevant experience.
• Working with organisations, such as ‘Blind in Business’ and ‘Step into STEM’ to help create opportunities for groups often facing barriers to employment.
• Supporting business creation and growth, through Wayra (start-up cohort) and 5G accelerator hubs.
• Hosting a virtual work experience programme for 14–16-year-olds, focused on driving diversity in STEM careers.
The Supplier works directly with our customers to provide employment and upskilling opportunities in their communities. For example, our nationwide network of 170+ ‘Future Careers Ambassadors’ provides support and guidance to pupils from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM. The Supplier pays around £2.5m every year through the Apprenticeship Levy and has spent 55% of the levy to date on apprenticeships (versus a UK average of 39%).
Additionally, the Supplier has a significant focus on addressing digital exclusion since this is a key barrier to economic equality. By 2025, we aim to:
• Connect 1 million digitally excluded individuals.
• Equip 6 million people with digital skills, confidence, and tools.
The Supplier’s customers benefit from access to subject matter experts in this space, as well as our established partnerships. Our digital inclusion initiatives include:
• Partnership with the Good Things Foundation to create the National Databank, which provides free-of-charge SIMs for individuals experiencing data poverty. Since 2022, over 78,568 SIMs have been distributed.
• The Supplier’s nationwide ‘Connect More’ programme enables our employees to use their five paid volunteering days to deliver digital skills training through local authority and third-sector drop-in centres.
• As part of our ‘Community Calling’ initiative, over 18,292 phones have been re-homed.Equal opportunity
The Supplier is dedicated to tackling inequality and enabling everyone across the UK to fulfil their potential.
The Supplier’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, ‘All In’, sets bold ambitions to be achieved by 2027. These are measured and reviewed regularly to ensure that the Supplier is on track.
To support ‘All In’, the Supplier has created an Inclusive Recruitment Programme to ensure our end-to-end recruitment journey for internal/external talent is fully inclusive.
The Supplier also reduces barriers through our policies aimed at providing the right support and flexibility for all employees. This includes:
• Industry-leading Family Friendly people policies which include up to 26 weeks’ paid maternity and adoption leave, 14 weeks’ paternity leave and up to 12 weeks’ paid neonatal leave, plus paid time off for caring, bereavement, emergencies, and more.
• Optimising our workplace adjustment process in collaboration with industry leaders, ‘Microlink’.
• Our ‘Work Smarter, Live Better’ hybrid working policy empowers our people to work in a way that helps them thrive.
• Integrating an ‘Adjustment Passport’ into our HR system, which provides comprehensive documentation of the accommodations provided for employees. This eliminates the necessity to divulge personal information.
• Regularly collaborating with our employee networks which represent the LGBTQ+ community, gender, disabled people, people who are neurodivergent, unpaid carers, and underrepresented ethnic groups.
• Signing up to the Government’s Disability Confident scheme and working towards achieving the Level 2 Disability Confident Leader standard.
• Attaining the 'Carers Confident' Level 1 classification and actively progressing toward Level 2.
• Funding gender transition treatment for our transgender and non-binary employees and helping them access medical care and support.
Additionally, all our suppliers must provide a Modern Slavery Transparency Statement detailing the actions they have taken to minimise the risk of Modern Slavery in their operations and supply chains.Wellbeing
Improving Health and Wellbeing:
The Supplier promotes a culture of health, education, and wellbeing so that we can support all employees, both personally and professionally.
Our ‘Thrive’ programme provides a comprehensive range of advice, tools and policies to ensure our people can be their best at work. As part of Thrive, our employees have free 24/7 access to confidential support and advice from trained therapists via Bupa Healthy Minds. Our people can also access free online treatment, such as Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
The Supplier offers the following management development modules:
1) Stamp Out Stigma: Managers’ mental health awareness
2) Anxiety and Depression: Managers’ toolkit
3) Workplace Stress: Managers’ survival kit.
To support physical wellbeing, the Supplier’s employees are enrolled on the Bupa Medical plan from day one. Our people can even choose to extend this to their partner and/or children by paying an amount every month. The Supplier also offers a Ride-to-Work scheme to help our people improve their fitness, reduce their carbon footprint, and save money on the cost of a bike.
Personal development also has a crucial role in wellbeing, so the Supplier ensures that our people have the right knowledge, skills and behaviours to reach their full potential. We have a wealth of learning and development tools available, including unlimited access to 16,000+ online courses on LinkedIn Learning, which are taught by passionate real-world professionals.
Community Integration:
When delivering social value propositions, the Supplier prioritises collaborating with the community to help deliver a shared vision for the area. This includes partnering with the public sector, private sector, and third sector.
Additionally, all the Supplier's employees have five paid volunteering days per year to support and connect with their local communities, digitally and in person. Since 2023 alone, our people have supported over 443 charitable causes.
Pricing
- Price
- £0.01 a unit a minute
- Discount for educational organisations
- Yes
- Free trial available
- No