Virgin Media Business Wholesale, the fixed wholesale connectivity arm of Virgin Media O2 Business (VMO2 Business), has launched diverse fibre routes and high bandwidth services into the Manchester Equinix MA5 site. This addition to its national network of over 160 data centres is seen as a significant enhancement to the UK’s network ecosystem and interconnection hub outside of London.
The new routes can accommodate bandwidths up to 100Gbps and support various managed backhaul services, including National Ethernet and National High Capacity Services. VMO2 Business believes that this development will benefit fast-growth businesses, particularly those in Manchester and the North of England, as well as hyperscalers and enterprises requiring ultra-low-latency connections.
In addition to Equinix MA5, Virgin Media Business Wholesale is upgrading network capability at four other data centres in the UK. These upgrades offer diversity and a cost-effective solution for organizations to build their own networks at scale. The company’s multimillion-pound investment programme aims to transform its 10Gbps and higher portfolio, providing faster connections and reduced delivery times.
Looking ahead, Virgin Media Business Wholesale plans to expand into more core hub sites later in 2024 as part of a nationwide availability programme. The company is focused on providing efficient and cost-effective network solutions for its wholesale partners and aims to enhance its 10G and 100G capability.
The launch of new fibre routes at Equinix MA5 reflects the growing demand for digital services and the need for network service providers to keep up with innovation. This investment in Manchester is expected to contribute to the UK’s position as a strategic digital business hub, with a projected compound annual growth rate in interconnection bandwidth by 2025.