Juniper Networks, an enabler in AI-powered secure networks, has announced that Virgin Media O2, one of the largest providers of fixed and UK mobile network with around 50 million online media connections, successfully upgraded its IP backbone network with Juniper — capable of supporting 800G.
Virgin Media O2 invests in long-term sustainable infrastructure that can meet sustained data growth and bandwidth demands. Its investment underpins the rapid introduction of revenue-generating services while delivering a significant reduction in energy, cooling and space.
A good user experience is a fundamental vector of success. As its 5G and network expansion continues, Virgin Media O2 turned to Juniper to build a 400G and 800G capable network to create a future-proof digital foundation for its customers. Virgin Media O2 chose Juniper as the technology partner for this strategic upgrade for many reasons, including its proven track record as a key network provider for over a decade with Virgin Media and O2 prior to their joint venture.in 2021. Another significant factor was Juniper’s ability to provide economic strengths to Virgin Media O2. These include long-term investment protection through continuous, customized IT innovation keeping pace with market demands, planned use of automation tools to help reduce operational costs, and a total cost of favorable possession with reduced energy consumption.
Over the past year, Virgin Media O2 has seen 32% growth in mobile network traffic, 16% growth in broadband data downloads and a peak traffic load of 22TB, highlighting the need for increased data capacity and flexible scalability
Virgin Media O2 has successfully migrated all core traffic across its six backbone sites across the UK with Juniper Networks PTX10008 Packet Transport Routers , which are purpose-built to deliver cloud-optimized network transformation, at scale and with operational flexibility
The PTX10008 modular routers offer reduced resource consumption through inherently durable design features, including front-to-back cooling, flexible power supplies that can use high or low power modes, and high-density port capacity that enables optimized throughput in a compact form factor
Scalable and secure 400G capacity is achieved through ultra-high port density, inline-native MACSec encryption on all ports, coupled with the latest generation of ASIC innovation that powers a range of line cards
PTX10008 routers support 400G coherent optical transceivers (400G ZR and ZR+) without density loss, and are ready for scalability to 800G with innovative components and easily swappable line cards in the chassis
Virgin Media O2’s infrastructure will be supported by Juniper’s unique operating system, Junos® OS Evolved. This approach will ensure the continuity of streamlined operations.
“Virgin Media O2’s stated ambition is to upgrade the UK, bringing fast, seamless broadband and mobile services to as many homes and businesses as possible. This requires responsible, strategic innovation and investment to create a flexible network infrastructure that can simultaneously scale with our business, accommodate resource consumption, and provide an extended lifecycle that protects our investment. Juniper has been a long-time technology partner, so it’s very reassuring to have the same vision for sustainable growth, user experience, and the fundamental importance of digital to our communities and economy,” said, Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer, Virgin Media O2.
“Without the right approach, service providers face a complex set of technical and business challenges that can be contradictory, even unsolvable and likely to multiply in the future. Virgin Media O2 chose to leverage Juniper’s innovations in components, software and automation that can eliminate complexity to provide a simplified, more reliable and more sustainable network foundation for its business. This means the business can adopt and accelerate the growth and evolution of services, knowing that its millions of users will continue to enjoy the best digital experiences, regardless of future demands,” explained, Raj Yavatkar, CTO, Juniper Networks.
