Ericsson has been selected as the primary radio access network partner for Virgin Media O2 following a five-year extension to their existing agreement, valued at several hundred million euros. The deal, announced this week, significantly expands the Swedish telecoms equipment provider’s role in the UK operator’s infrastructure and forms a central part of Virgin Media O2’s strategy to enhance mobile performance, capacity, and nationwide coverage.
Network Modernization and 5G Expansion
Under the new agreement, Ericsson will support the majority of Virgin Media O2’s network as part of the operator’s ongoing Mobile Transformation Plan. The upgrade is designed to facilitate the migration of more customers onto Virgin Media O2’s 5G Standalone network, which currently reaches 87 percent of the UK population. The partnership is also structured to support future technological evolution towards Cloud RAN and 5G-Advanced standards.
The program aims to deliver faster and more reliable connectivity in response to growing demand. Mobile data traffic on Virgin Media O2’s network has more than doubled over the past five years, necessitating this substantial infrastructure investment.
Deployment of Advanced Technology
Ericsson will deploy a range of its latest radio products across both new and existing network sites. This rollout includes multiband Massive MIMO equipment, such as the AIR 3229 and Radio 4486 models. Massive MIMO is a key technology for increasing network capacity and speed. The deployment will also incorporate software powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize network performance in real time.
A key focus will be expanding the use of 5G Standalone technology. This will enable Virgin Media O2 to make greater use of mid-band spectrum it acquired in 2025, strengthening its position in the 5G SA market and supporting more advanced services. The partnership will also introduce network programmability and slicing capabilities, which are essential for creating differentiated services for enterprise and industrial applications.
Executive Reactions
Patrick Johansson, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ericsson, commented on the deal. He stated that Virgin Media O2 is a close and trusted customer and partner, and that Ericsson will work closely with the company to realize its Mobile Transformation Plan.
Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2, also provided a statement. She noted that Ericsson is a long-standing partner in the operator’s network evolution. York said the agreement will help accelerate the modernization of the radio network, which will unlock greater capacity, improved efficiency, and enhanced reliability for customers.
Context and Previous Investments
This contract represents the latest development in a long-standing partnership between the two companies. Previous investments under the Mobile Transformation Plan in 2025 focused on increasing network capacity through additional spectrum, network densification, and small cell deployments. Targeted upgrades were also carried out in high-traffic locations like transport hubs and stadiums.
As part of the wider program, coverage improvements have been extended to rail routes, major roads, and rural and coastal areas across the United Kingdom.
Future Outlook
The implementation of this five-year agreement is expected to proceed immediately, with Ericsson beginning the deployment of its new radio products and software. The upgrade is projected to steadily increase the performance and reach of Virgin Media O2’s 5G Standalone network, supporting the UK’s broader digital infrastructure goals. The collaboration’s framework for exploring Cloud RAN and 5G-Advanced technologies suggests further network evolution will be pursued within the lifespan of the deal.
Source: Mobile News
