One of the UK’s largest telecommunications operators, Virgin Media O2, is on its way to becoming a cloud-native software provider. In partnership with Mavenir, the company has successfully migrated O2 mobile customers to its virtualised IP Multimedia Subsystem.
Virtualising the Virgin Media O2 network breaks the link between hardware and software, providing greater agility, efficiency, and resiliency. Customers can utilise applications hosted on the same platform, enabling cost reductions and future innovation.
“At the end of the day this solution and transition will benefit our customers, whilst in parallel provide us with a runway for future services,” said Jorge Ribeiro, Director of Service Platform Strategy & Engineering at Virgin Media O2.
The virtualised solution will offer voice over LTE and voice over WiFi, which deliver high-speed wireless communication standards.
“Virgin Media O2 is working to future proof their network, moving away from legacy infrastructure to become a cloud-native software provider that features a self-automating network and provides capacity for additional subscribers in the future,” said Javier Gavilan, CTO for Telefónica Global at Mavenir.
Virgin Media O2 was launched in 2021 and now has over 47 million UK connections across broadband, mobile, TV and home phone. Its fixed network currently passes 15.9 million premises alongside a mobile network that covers 99% of the UK’s population with 4G. Virgin Media O2 targets to cover more than 800 towns and cities, providing 50% of the population with 5G by 2023.
