Virgin Media Business threw a terrific launch party at the RIBA premises in Portland Place, London last night. Most of the ISP industry was there in one shape or form.

The hour’s worth of presentation (no such thing as a free launch party) wasn’t too onerous and the speech by rugby world cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward was entertaining – ask me how many F words he used when you see me next.

Virgin Media Business is the re-branded business arm of NTL/Telewest. The consumer division changed long ago. I must say that the presenters said all the right things from a business partner’s perspective.

My experience with using NTL hasn’t been 100% smooth in the last year and they do need to get their act together on service delivery. During the speeches they put their hand up to this and made promises to get better.

We were told that Sir Richard Branson requires businesses carrying the Virgin brand to provide him with Service Level Guarantees and I left believe that the management would deliver. Time will tell but UK plc does need healthy competition in the carrier market. Branson himself spoke in a video.

Photos below are of me mingling with celebrities at the party (A listers ) including David Beckham who was a surprise guest. I must get my hair cut.