A major broadband provider is using a very Highland scene to advertise its service – despite it not being available to customers in the north of Scotland.
Virgin Media’s advertising campaign for its broadband sees a Highland cow riding a motorcycle through Glencoe.
The slogan reads: “Why walk when you can ride?”
And continues: “Introducing the fastest WiFi guarantee of any major provider. We’re better, connected. Shop our lightning-fast broadband deals with average download speeds of 108Mbps.”
Unfortunately, Virgin isn’t so well-connected in the Highlands, where the service is unavailable.
In fact, addresses in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire can’t get the service either.
The campaign is appearing on TV, in public places, on video on demand, retail and social media.
Patrick Swayze sings She’s Like The Wind, from the hit film Dirty Dancing. The cow rides the motorcycle along the backroad to the Kings House Hotel, with Glencoe as a backdrop.
But it is no joke if you live in the Highlands and hope to take advantage of Virgin’s deal on ultrafast broadband.
While many people online have praised the Highland scenery, the irony isn’t lost on those who are unable to access the service.
Highland residents have their say on Virgin’s broadband availability
A number of north residents had their say in the comments section of the advert on YouTube.
User imnotthemuffinman wrote: “Certain degree of irony that I live next to a field full of these guys but can’t get Virgin Media here!”
While The Thrawn Scotsman rages: “Stupid advert! A lot of villages and countryside homes in Scotland can’t even get Virgin!”
Andy Harpur adds: “I live further down this road in Glencoe. Real shame that Virgin have no presence in the area and we have to put up with terrible broadband from BT that struggles to achieve 5Mb at times.
“Come on Virgin, step up to the plate and make Glencoe fly.”
‘If we are to get superfast broadband we need everyone to be pushing’
Edward Mountain, MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “The Highlands are still waiting for superfast broadband that this government promised to deliver by 2021.
“The Virgin Media advert showing a cow on a motorbike in Glencoe is about as likely as us seeing superfast broadband across the Highlands by 2026.
“If we are to get superfast broadband to all properties we need everyone to be pushing for it, including Virgin Media.”
Virgin Media O2 say they have invested around £180 million since 2015 to bring ultrafast broadband to more than 330,000 Scottish homes and businesses.
They add that there are 1.2 million locations on its Scottish network which can access gigabit broadband with speeds of 1.1Gbps.
The Virgin Media advert showing a cow on a motorbike in Glencoe is about as likely as us seeing superfast broadband across the Highlands by 2026.”
– Edward Mountain, MSP for the Highlands and Islands
A spokesman for Virgin Media said: “We’re investing to expand our network and bring gigabit speeds to more homes and businesses across Scotland. With more than half of Scotland’s population already connected to our next-generation network, more people than ever can enjoy our services including the fastest WiFi guarantee of any major provider.”
No complaints received about advert
The Advertising Standards Authority has not received any complaints about the Virgin Media ad. It is not investigating.
A spokesman said: “Broadly, our rules make it clear that ads shouldn’t claim they offer UK-wide services if that isn’t the case. They must make any exclusions of services clear and not be misleading.
“We encourage anyone with concerns about ads they’ve seen to get in touch.”
BrewDog recently found itself in hot water with the ASA. The craft brewer sent out a marketing email claiming its fruit-flavoured beers were “one of your five-a-day”.
After receiving one complaint, the ASA banned the ad for being “misleading”.
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