Virgin Media O2 Selects Mavenir for Its Open RAN Deployment

Virgin Media O2, one of the leading telecommunication providers in the UK, has recently chosen Mavenir as its Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) vendor. Mavenir is a Network Software Provider that builds innovative cloud-native solutions designed to run on any cloud platform. Moreover, the collaboration aims to implement a scalable Open vRAN solution. This solution will be integrated into Virgin Media O2’s network evolution plans. As a result, this will enable the company to adopt a more flexible and cloud-native architecture.

Mavenir’s Open vRAN solution is built from the ground up to be cloud-native, with fully containerised microservices. This allows the solution to be deployed easily on any cloud platform. This makes it a highly scalable and flexible option for telecommunication providers. Furthermore, Mavenir’s Open vRAN is also O-RAN compliant. This means it supports open interfaces that can work with O-RAN Split 7.2x and Split 2. As a result, it ensures seamless integration with existing networks.

Designed to support multiple Fronthaul splits simultaneously, the vRAN solution provides a vendor-agnostic and future-proof architecture. Additionally, it leverages Virgin Media O2’s network infrastructure assets.

Mavenir’s Open RAN system will consist of fully virtualised L1 and L2 vRAN SW. It will operate on Intel Xeon Scalable Processors. Along with these processors, Intel vRAN Accelerator ACC100 and Intel 800 series Ethernet adapters will be used. The delivery will also feature Mavenir’s OpenBeam™ Radios including massive MIMO. In addition, there will be 3rd party O-RAN based Radio Units (O-RU) for open Fronthaul, network monitoring and optimisation.

Last month, Virgin Media O2 and Ericsson announced they will boost 4G and 5G coverage and capacity to major cities and towns across the U.K. This is part of a renewed network partnership agreement.

Virgin Media O2’s 5G network reached 1,600 towns and cities across the country as of the end of last year. In its latest earnings release, the telco said it was on track to deliver 5G services to 50% of the U.K. population during 2023.