# Virgin Media
> Virgin Media O2 named Ericsson its primary RAN partner in a five-year extension powering its UK 5G Standalone network.

Canonical page: https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/our-partners/profile/virgin-media
Marketplace: Ericsson
Last updated: 2026-11-03
Logo: https://assets.partnerfleet.app/ug9i0ocdzt1voddx564hdycfxrtt

## At a glance
- Solutions: [Branch & site connectivity](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/our-partners/t/solutions/Branch-and-site-connectivity), [Ericsson neutral host](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/our-partners/t/solutions/private-cellular-networks), [Managed services & monitoring](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/our-partners/t/solutions/managed-services-and-monitoring)
- Partner type: Reseller, Wireless WAN partner
- Where they work: Europe, Middle-East, and Africa, Northern Europe
- Website: [www.virginmedia.com](http://www.virginmedia.com)

## Call to actions
- **Need help finding a partner?** — submit the contact form on https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/our-partners/profile/virgin-media

## Description
Virgin Media O2 has named Ericsson as its primary radio access network (RAN) partner under a five-year partnership extension worth several hundred million euros, announced in March 2026. Ericsson will power the majority of Virgin Media O2's nationwide UK radio network as part of the operator's Mobile Transformation Plan, deploying multiband Massive MIMO equipment including the AIR 3229 and Radio 4486 across new and existing sites.

The upgrade will let Virgin Media O2 migrate more customers onto its 5G Standalone network, which already reaches 87 percent of the UK population, and is structured to support future evolution toward Cloud RAN and 5G-Advanced. The partnership also includes AI- and machine learning-based software to optimize network performance in real time, building on a long-standing relationship that has included multiple prior network modernization agreements since 2020.

## Benefits
- **Ericsson's primary RAN partner in the UK** — In March 2026, Ericsson secured a five-year partnership extension worth several hundred million euros as Virgin Media O2's primary RAN partner.
- **Five-year partnership extension worth hundreds of millions** — The five-year extension guarantees Ericsson several hundred million euros while significantly expanding its footprint across Virgin Media O2's network.
- **5G SA network reaching 87% of the UK population** — Virgin Media O2's 5G Standalone network already reaches 87 percent of the UK population, with the new deal enabling further customer migration.

## Services
- **5g ran modernization** — Deployment of Ericsson multiband Massive MIMO radios across new and existing UK sites.
- **5g standalone network** — Nationwide 5G Standalone connectivity with a path to Cloud RAN and 5G-Advanced.
- **Ai-driven network optimization** — AI- and machine learning-based software to optimize network performance in real time.

## FAQ
### What is Virgin Media O2's latest deal with Ericsson?
In March 2026, Ericsson and Virgin Media O2 agreed a five-year partnership extension worth several hundred million euros, making Ericsson the primary RAN partner powering the majority of Virgin Media O2's UK network.

### What technology is Ericsson deploying for Virgin Media O2?
Ericsson is deploying multiband Massive MIMO equipment including the AIR 3229 and Radio 4486, alongside AI- and machine learning-based software for real-time network optimization.

### How far does Virgin Media O2's 5G network reach?
Virgin Media O2's 5G Standalone network currently reaches 87 percent of the UK population, and the partnership is structured to support future evolution toward Cloud RAN and 5G-Advanced.

### Has Ericsson worked with Virgin Media O2 before?
Yes. The 2026 extension builds on a long-standing relationship including a 2023 network modernization agreement and earlier RAN deployments dating to 2020.

## Resources
- [Ericsson and Virgin Media O2 extend partnership](https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/3/2023/ericsson-and-virgin-media-o2-extend-partnership-in-boost-to-uks-5g-connectivity) — Coverage of the five-year Ericsson and Virgin Media O2 RAN partnership extension.