Virgin Media UK Launch Google Smart Home Trial in 3 Locations

Broadband ISP and TV provider Virgin Media has today announced the launch of a new “Google Smart Home Trial“, which will give customers in certain parts of the UK the ability to add various Google-based smart home products (e.g. Nest) to their existing package. Prices for this will start from £10 extra per month.

Under this trial customers in Cardiff, Manchester and Southampton (it will be expanded to more areas later) will be able to pick from three optional smart home products that include Google’s Nest Hub, Cameras and Doorbell products.

Customers that sign-up for any of these bundles will benefit from an expert installation by a trained Virgin Media engineer and they will also be able to “rely on a dedicated tech support team which is just a call away from providing help to resolve any issues” (hopefully they’ll be more responsive than VMs normal support lines).

The Smart Home bundles are available on flexible payment plans spread over an 18 or 36 month contract and start from £10 per month.

The Three Product Options

● Smart Home (£10 p/m on a 36 month contract or £20 p/m on an 18 month contract)

Includes Nest Hello Doorbell and Nest Hub (7 inch screen)

● Smart Home Pro (£21 p/m on a 36 months contract or £42p/m on an 18 month contract)

Includes Nest Hello Doorbell, Nest Hub Max (10 inch screen, 6.5MP camera), Nest Indoor Cam and Nest Outdoor Cam

● Smart Home Pro Max (£28 p/m on a 36 months contract or £56p/m on an 18 month contract)

Includes Nest Hello Doorbell, Nest Hub Max (10 inch screen, 6.5MP camera), 2 x Nest Indoor Cam, 2 x Nest Outdoor Cam

Personally we think that’s a lot of money for a doorbell and some cameras, but then high prices seem to be common for such gadgets these days.

Annie Brooks, Executive Director of Product at Virgin Media, said:

“Our ultrafast broadband, combined with Google’s exciting range of smart security products, allow our customers to take their smart-home ambitions to the next level and stay safe and secure. The flexible range of bundles on offer give our customers even more ways to get their hands on the smartest home security tech and with our specially trained engineers and support on hand from day one, they can have complete confidence in the service.”

Just for a quick comparison of price. The Google Nest Hello Doorbell tends to retail for £229 and the Google Nest Hub for £59 (or £79 via Google’s own store) when taken separately (total of c.£288). By comparison £10 for 36 months or £20 for 18 months (Smart Home Package) is equal to a total payment of £360. You do of course get an engineer install and some tech support on top of what you pay, which might help those who aren’t comfortable using a basic drill and screwdriver.