Juniper Networks, a supplier of secure, AI-driven networks, announced that Virgin Media O2, one of the UK’s major fixed and mobile service providers, has updated its IP core backbone network in conjunction with Juniper.
The upgraded network can accommodate 800G and is part of Virgin Media O2’s long-term strategy to invest in sustainable infrastructure capable of supporting continuous data growth and bandwidth needs. This investment will allow the company to quickly launch revenue-generating services while also lowering power, cooling and space usage expenses.
In order to implement this strategic update, Virgin Media O2 selected Juniper as its technology partner for a number of reasons. Prior to their joint venture in 2021, Virgin Media and O2 had used Juniper for more than 10 years as their primary networking provider. Additionally, Juniper was able to provide Virgin Media O2 with a compelling economic proposition by protecting their long-term investment. This will be achieved through ongoing innovation in custom silicon development, utilizing automation tools to cut down on operating expenses, and providing a favorable Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) with a low energy consumption design.
Virgin Media O2’s mobile network has witnessed a huge rise in usage over the last year, including a 32% increase in traffic and a 16% increase in broadband data downloads. The enhanced network will assist the organization in meeting its growth expectations by providing improved data capacity and flexible scalability.
Virgin Media O2 has successfully moved its core traffic to Juniper Networks PTX10008 Packet Transport Routers in its six backbone locations across the UK. These routers are designed specifically to provide cloud-optimized network transformation at scale, with operational flexibility.
The infrastructure of Virgin Media O2 will be supported by Juniper’s single operating system, Junos OS Evolved, which will provide continued continuity for simplified operations. The enhanced network is a huge step forward for Virgin Media O2, allowing them to fulfill their expectations of increasing consumer demands, while also laying the groundwork for a near-future-proof digital basis for their business.
