Virgin Media Business turns to Transmode for mobile backhaul

Transmode says it has won an eight-year contract with Virgin Media Business for Ethernet-based mobile backhaul service delivery networks across the UK. Transmode estimates that the new contract is worth up to 150 M SEK in 2011 and 2012. Deliveries are slated to begin in the third quarter of this year.

The deployment of Transmode's optical networking systems in Virgin Media Business’s nationwide fiber-optic network will begin with an initial deployment to connect 14 regional aggregation networks (ANs). The deployment will enable Virgin Media Business to offer Synchronous Ethernet (Sync-E) enabled mobile backhaul services to mobile operators across the UK.

The dedicated networks will support mobile backhaul services to UK mobile operators and will rely on Transmode's Native Packet Optical architecture, including the recently launched Layer 2 Ethernet Muxponder family. Ethernet services will be provided from the mobile operators' core node locations right through to the operator's cell sites.

"The explosion of mobile data traffic due to the use of smartphones and other similar devices is driving the networks of mobile operators to breaking point. Working with Transmode we're looking to transform backhaul networks by delivering a unique service that deploys fiber-based Ethernet services to cell sites. We're best placed to deliver the speed and capacity that mobile companies need," said Mark Heraghty, managing director, Virgin Media Business. "With a fiber-based core network, we've got big ambitions for this market and see it as integral to the growth of our overall market share. Our partnership with Transmode makes our proposition all the more compelling."

"Mobile operators increasingly need robust, powerful networks to underpin a superior customer experience, from excellent call quality through to accessing social networks on the move. As this sector continues to grow and evolve, it represents a significant opportunity for growth. Analysts estimate that by 2015 globally there will be a ten-fold increase to more than two million fiber-connected base stations. We believe that this is one of the biggest packet-optical based mobile backhaul projects in Europe and it will provide Virgin Media Business with a state-of-the-art platform for their Sync-E enabled, Gigabit Ethernet mobile backhaul services," said Karl Thedéen, CEO at Transmode.

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