LONDON -- O2 customers across the UK will soon begin benefitting from much faster access to mobile data, thanks to a superfast fibre network from Virgin Media Business. In a 10 year deal with Telefonica UK, Virgin Media Business will connect base stations to its fibre network via a high capacity Ethernet service, supercharging data speeds for millions of O2 customers.

With more consumers demanding access to bandwidth-heavy services like gaming apps and HD video streaming on the go, it’s crucial that mobile operators find new ways of expanding their backhaul network capacity. The mobile backhaul network will provide Telefonica with the extra capacity it needs to satisfy increasing demand for mobile data from customers, and will help underpin the delivery of 4G services launching this Summer. Each one of the high speed links will deliver speeds of 1Gbps between cell site and their aggregation network.

Adrian Di Meo, Chief Technology Officer, Telefonica UK, said: "Over the past five years we’ve seen huge growth in demand for mobile data as the number of consumers using smartphones and tablets has increased. With our 4G network launching this summer, data growth will only continue to rise and this new fibre agreement with Virgin Media Business will give us the rock solid foundation we need and help us deliver a great network experience for our customers.”

George Wareing, director of mobile and broadcast, Virgin Media Business said: "Backhauling data is absolutely critical to ensuring that mobile operators are able to provide customers with fast and reliable data services. Over the last two years we’ve secured mobile backhaul contracts with all four of the UK’s major mobile network operators. It’s a sign that the backhaul market is moving extremely quickly and thanks to the speed and resilience of our fibre network, we’ve been able to make the most of that opportunity. By working closely in partnership with mobile operators we’ve been able to develop and deploy innovative and unique technologies that enable Sync–E as standard.

"This approach means we’re able to arm their networks with the extra capacity needed to make sure that customers don’t experience slow speeds because of data bottlenecks, and that they’re prepared for the future of 4G services and beyond."

Virgin Media Business Ltd.