Virgin Media O2 to launch plug-and-play 5G SA Private Network

Virgin Media O2 Business is now the UK’s first telco to offer a portable commercial 5G Standalone (SA) Private Network (PN). Once plugged in, the new portable network enables companies to immediately access 5G connectivity at the flick of a switch, without the time and expense of building an entire network.

Only slightly larger than a carry-on airline bag, the new product is small but mighty. With a network that can be easily used and activated, not just by telecoms engineers, the product enables businesses of all sizes to access private connectivity. This means that organisations from tech start-ups to large companies will be able to tap into a secure 5G network quickly, and in a way that fits their needs.

Since the first trials of the portable solution, Virgin Media O2 Business has developed and deployed two 5G SA PN platforms. Telefónica’s innovation arm, Wayra – home to the first trial of this product – has been using the network since last summer, enabling customers and small businesses to experience 5G SA enabled applications first-hand.

Start-ups based in Wayra’s London office have already benefited from the solution, including Mobilus Labs, an organisation using advanced voice technology to enable industrial teams to communicate in environments with extreme noise (85 dB+). To ensure safe interactions between people and devices on sites like construction, manufacturing and healthcare locations, Mobilus Labs requires fast internet speeds and secure connections which private 5G networks can provide. Further trials with companies offering products ranging from Virtual Reality (VR) applications to Internet of Things (IoT) services have already shown benefits including high reliability, enhanced data security, and ultra-low latency.

These applications and features are leveraged using Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) and Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE), which allows organisations like Mobilus Labs to safely support mission-critical applications. This integration makes Virgin Media O2 Business the UK’s first telco to incorporate MXIE into its private wireless offering. With on-premises edge cloud capabilities, enterprises can process data at the source in real-time, meaning business-critical applications do not need to communicate back to an application in the public cloud. This removes the complexity and economic hurdles typically associated with mission-critical networking, meaning the solution can support digital transformation for businesses across sectors including, manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.

As the product is continuing to be used for 5G SA demonstrations, businesses can experience the PN hands-on to test relevant use cases for Industry 4.0 robotics, IoT, VR, and Artificial Intelligence. With potential productivity and reduced risk gains, testing is not limited to businesses operating in large cities the product’s compact nature can support 5G connectivity in rural locations or places where public network access to 5G may be more limited – meaning businesses of any size and in any location can now instantly tap into private 5G connectivity.