The company revealed that it will leverage VMware’s telco cloud infrastructure to design, build, test and implement virtualised network functions in Virgin Media’s network across the UK, “boosting innovation” as a result.
VMware’s telco cloud infrastructure delivers a single horizontal platform which Virgin Media O2 says will simplify, scale and better protect its core cloud network.
Virgin Media O2 has been rolling out its 5G network over the past 16 months and Chris Buggie, director of infrastructure, cloud engineering and delivery at Virgin Media O2 says this will allow the firm to reinvest into the network.
He added: “Virtualising and modernising our network is essential if we are to cement our position as the leading telco provider across UK and EU and we are delighted to partner with VMware to achieve this.
“By utilising a consistent, NFV- and cloud-native platform for onboarding and managing our workloads and network functions.”
Virgin Media O2 will also leverage VMware’s Tanzu for Telco’s solution to build containers as a service (CaaS) proficiency.
This, it says, will support the next generation of containerised network functions and enable Virgin Media O2 to maintain and expand its ability to support multi-vendor solutions.
“As the rollout of 5G networks comes close to completion, service providers need to be able to modernise their network infrastructure quickly, simply, and economically,” said Sanjay Uppal, senior vice president and general manager of service providers and edge at VMware.
“The best way to do this is through a single platform that can automate and streamline delivery of multi-vendor network functions.
“Through its work with VMware, Virgin Media O2 is able to deploy a network infrastructure that enables the successful roll out of its 5G services without limitations, by harnessing the agility, flexibility, and consistency of a common platform.”
