Transmode, a global supplier of packet-optical networking solutions, today announced that its partnership with Virgin Media Business in building one of the largest Synchronous-Ethernet (Sync-E) based mobile backhaul networks in Europe has won Global Telecom Business magazine’s innovation award.
At a black-tie event held in the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel in central London last night, the wireless network infrastructure innovation award was presented to the partners by Alan Burkitt-Gray, Editor of Global Telecom Business magazine.
The project started in September 2011, when Virgin Media Business won an eight-year contract worth in excess of GBP 100 million with Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL) to upgrade its backhaul infrastructure for Everything Everywhere and 3's combined mobile networks. The innovative deployment provides Virgin Media Business’s client MBNL with a state-of-the-art platform for its Sync-E enabled, Gigabit Ethernet mobile backhaul services.
When presenting the award Alan Burkitt-Gray Editor of Global Telecoms Business said, “This project stood out from the other nominees by transforming the UK mobile backhaul market. The joint enterprise has radically changed this market through Virgin Media Business’ focus service innovation and Transmode’s focus on innovative technology. This project exemplifies the innovation we wish to applaud.”
Virgin Media Business is building 14 regional aggregation networks to connect thousands of base stations across the UK to Virgin Media Business’ nationwide fiber optic network. This enables 1 Gbit/s synchronous Ethernet services to boost the capacity of 3’s and Everything Everywhere’s backhaul infrastructure.
Virgin Media Business awarded the eight year equipment contract to Transmode for Ethernet-based mobile backhaul service delivery networks, to be deployed across the UK. The choice of Transmode’s optical networking systems nationwide is producing a robust, powerful network that supports a superior customer experience for many mobile operators running services over Virgin Media Business’ infrastructure.
Mark Heraghty, Managing Director, Virgin Media Business, commented, “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 fibre-based Ethernet services to cell sites. We’re best placed to deliver the speed and capacity that mobile companies need.”
Karl Thedéen, Transmode’s CEO added, “We are very pleased that our team’s hard work and effort to work on this project is being recognised. The award reinforces our commitment towards our customers and is a testament to our strategy of continuous innovation that focuses on solving emerging customer needs required to keep up with the changing demands of their markets.”
