It Takes O2 to Tango

A Tamworth firm of electricians has been hand-picked to work with a communications giant as a leading partner in the installation of a ground-breaking new smart home automation system. We find out more.

Mr Electric Birmingham North is among an elite team of nationwide champions chosen by O2 to start installing the smart systems and software for “O2 Home” in homes across the region, before the technology is rolled out across the rest of the country.

Based in Lichfield Road Industrial Estate, the company is one of only two firms in the West Midlands which will be able to supply and install the all-digital, fully integrated, wireless home automation system.

Regional roll-out
O2 Home is launching to UK customers in specific regions of the UK in 2017, offering the ability to enjoy the everyday benefits of smart technology in their homes. It will allow people to control their heating, lighting, locks and a number of other smart home devices through a single App on their smartphone, tablet or computer, accessed wirelessly from anywhere.

Owner of the Tamworth Mr Electric franchise, Jeff Longley, said: “This is quite a feather in our cap and is a testament to our reputation for providing a high-quality service.

“We’ve been chosen as approved installers by O2 Home and we’ll be marketing it to our database of clients and then supplying and fitting it in homes across the West Midlands.

“We’ll then provide feedback from staff and customers to help ensure the installation process is a fantastic customer experience when O2 Home roll-out nationally.”

He continues: “We’re very proud to have been asked to do this by O2 Home in recognition of our excellent record of customer satisfaction. We’ve already fitted over 1,000 smart thermostats and this is the natural evolution – full scale home automation systems operated from the mobile phone. This puts us at the forefront of home automation.”

The Mr Electric team of installers are currently receiving full training on O2 Home and will then be ready to bring the region’s homes into the 21st century.

“O2 Home uses real, usable digital innovation to empower customers, offering them flexible control over their homes and giving them the peace of mind which comes from knowing everything is fine at home – even when they can’t be there in person.”

Customer focus
O2’s Director of Digital Development, Katy Liddell, said “As a customer-focused organisation, O2 understands the limitations that an analogue home poses to our customers.

“O2 Home uses real, usable digital innovation to empower customers, offering them flexible control over their homes and giving them the peace of mind which comes from knowing everything is fine at home – even when they can’t be there in person.”

She adds: “O2 Home work with best-in-class product manufacturers, bringing the very best connected home technology to their customers, and we also work with specialists who have established expertise within peoples’ homes. That’s why we’re delighted to work with Mr Electric to link their highly-regarded installation services with the O2 Home service.”

The award-winning Mr Electric Birmingham North franchise was bought by Jeff eight years ago. At that time it had just two employees and a small client base. It now has 30 members of staff, fulfilling more than 1,300 jobs a month, including contracts with large companies, schools and McDonald’s restaurants.

Earlier this year the business moved into larger premises as it prepares for further growth.