Juniper Networks Chosen to Upgrade Virgin Media O2’s Core IP Backbone Network to 800G Readiness

Rhea-AI Summary

Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR) announced a significant upgrade to Virgin Media O2's IP core backbone network, enhancing it to support 800G capabilities. This partnership aims to meet the growing demand for data, driven by a notable 32% increase in mobile traffic and 16% in broadband downloads over the past year. Juniper's purpose-built PTX10008 routers provide sustainable design features and efficiency, aiming to reduce operational costs and energy consumption. This initiative reflects both companies' commitment to innovation and delivering superior user experiences while aligning with long-term sustainability goals.

Positive

• Partnership with Virgin Media O2 to upgrade network infrastructure supports sustained data growth.
• Increased network capacity to handle 800G capabilities reflects strong demand.
• Ability to deliver reduced energy consumption and operational costs through advanced technology.

Negative

• None.

New infrastructure to support superior user experiences and sustainable business growth

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR), a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, today announced that Virgin Media O2, one of the UK’s largest fixed and mobile service providers with approximately 50 million online media connections, successfully upgraded its IP core backbone network with Juniper – capable of supporting 800G. Virgin Media O2 is investing in sustainable infrastructure for the long term that can support sustained data growth and bandwidth demands. Its investment underpins the rapid introduction of revenue-generating services while delivering significantly-reduced power, cooling and space consumption and costs.

Consistently good user experience is a fundamental benchmark of success. As its 5G and network expansion continues, Virgin Media O2 turned to Juniper to build a network that is 400G-enabled and 800G-ready to create a near future-proofed digital foundation for its customers. Virgin Media O2 selected Juniper as the technology partner for this strategic upgrade for numerous reasons, including its previous track record as a key networking provider for more than ten years with Virgin Media and O2 before their joint venture in 2021. Another significant factor was Juniper’s ability to deliver compelling economics for Virgin Media O2. These include long-term investment protection through continuous custom silicon innovation by keeping pace with market demands, the planned use of automation tools to help reduce operational costs and a favorable Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) with a reduced energy consumption design.

News Highlights

• In the past year, Virgin Media O2 has seen 32 percent traffic growth on its mobile network, 16 percent growth in broadband data downloads and a peak traffic load of 22TB, underlining the need for increased data capacity and flexible scalability
• Virgin Media O2 has successfully migrated all core traffic in its six backbone locations 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 modular PTX10008 routers deliver reduced resource consumption as a result of inherently-sustainable design features, including front-to-back cooling, flexible power supplies that can use either high- or low-power modes and high-density port capability that enables optimized throughput in a compact form factor
• Scalable, secure 400G capability is achieved through ultra-high port density, native inline 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 any density loss today, and are 800G-capable with upgradeability to 800G in the future with silicon innovation and easily-exchanged line cards in the chassis
• Virgin Media O2’s infrastructure will be underpinned by Juniper’s single operating system, Junos® OS Evolved. This will provide ongoing continuity for streamlined operations.

Supporting Quotes

“Virgin Media O2’s stated ambition is to ‘upgrade the UK’, providing fast, seamless broadband access and mobile services to as many homes and businesses as possible. This calls for responsible, strategic innovation and investment to create an agile network infrastructure that can simultaneously scale in step with our business, be mindful of resource consumption and deliver an extended lifecycle that protects our investment. Juniper is a long-standing technology partner, so it is very reassuring that it has the same vision for sustainable growth, user experience and the fundamental importance of digital enablement in our communities and economy.”

- Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer, Virgin Media O2

“Service providers face a complex set of technical and commercial challenges that can be contradictory, even intractable—and likely only to multiply in the future—without the right approach. Virgin Media O2 has chosen to leverage silicon, software and automation innovation from Juniper that can turn complexity on its head to deliver a simplified, more reliable and more sustainable network foundation for its business. This means the company can embrace and accelerate growth and service evolution, safe in the knowledge that its millions of users will continue to be able to enjoy the best digital experiences going forward, whatever demands the future may bring.”

- Raj Yavatkar, Chief Technology Officer, Juniper Networks

Additional Information

Juniper’s Climate Change & Sustainability Pages
CEO Blog: Juniper’s Carbon Neutral Pledge
CTO Blog: Sustainable Networking – The Time is Now
Juniper’s 2022 Corporate Sustainability Report

About Juniper Networks

Juniper Networks is dedicated to dramatically simplifying network operations and driving superior experiences for end users. Our solutions deliver industry-leading insight, automation, security and AI to drive real business results. We believe that powering connections will bring us closer together while empowering us all to solve the world’s greatest challenges of well-being, sustainability and equality. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Juniper, Junos, and other trademarks listed here are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Statement of Product Direction

The information on this page may contain Juniper's development and plans for future products, features, or enhancements ("SOPD Information"). SOPD Information is subject to change at any time, without notice. Juniper provides no assurances, and assumes no responsibility, that future products, features, or enhancements will be introduced. In no event should any purchase decision be based upon reliance of timeframes or specifics outlined as part of SOPD Information, because Juniper may delay or never introduce the future products, features, or enhancements.

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Category - Cloud & Service Provider

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005101/en/

Media Relations:

Penny Still

Juniper Networks

+44 (0) 1372 385 692

pstill@juniper.net

Source: Juniper Networks

FAQ

What is the significance of the Juniper Networks and Virgin Media O2 partnership announced in January 2023?

The partnership upgrades Virgin Media O2's network to support 800G capabilities, addressing growing data demands.

How much has Virgin Media O2's mobile traffic increased over the past year?

Virgin Media O2 reported a 32% increase in mobile network traffic in the past year.

What are the key features of Juniper's PTX10008 routers used in the upgrades?

PTX10008 routers are designed for cloud-optimized network transformation, supporting 400G and 800G capabilities with reduced resource consumption.

When was the announcement regarding Juniper Networks and Virgin Media O2 made?

The announcement was made in January 2023.