virgin media O2 (VMO2) is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring tools in its mobile network to proactively predict and prevent issues, ultimately delivering a more reliable experience for customers across the UK.
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The operator is leveraging AI to minimize downtime and improve connectivity for its mobile users.
- VMO2 is expanding its use of AI from fixed broadband to its mobile network.
- the technology has already demonstrated success in reducing repair times by over a third and cutting engineer visits by 12% on fixed broadband.
- The initiative utilizes the google Cloud platform, including Gemini and Vertex AI, for autonomous network capabilities.
- A partnership with Zinkworks is central to the deployment and ongoing development of these AI-driven solutions.
To maintain optimal performance for mobile users, VMO2 has deepened its collaboration with infrastructure modernization firm Zinkworks. This builds upon two years of accomplished AI-powered monitoring of its fixed broadband network,where the technology reportedly slashed repair times by more than 33% and decreased the need for on-site engineer visits by 12%. Now, that same proactive approach is being extended to mobile connectivity.
The expanded partnership with Zinkworks aims to bolster resilient and dependable mobile connectivity throughout the UK, particularly during periods of high demand. The focus will be on continuously monitoring network performance, identifying emerging patterns, swiftly resolving issues, and anticipating potential faults before they disrupt service. The goal is to allow for operational adjustments *before* customers even notice a problem.
The core of this initiative rests on the Google Cloud platform, leveraging features like Gemini and Vertex AI to deliver AI-enabled autonomous network capabilities for VMO2. The management technology will be implemented across critical components of the VMO2 mobile network, including radio access, core systems, and network operations. By merging real-time network data with clever automation, the network can self-monitor, foresee potential problems, and initiate corrective actions, all while keeping engineers fully informed and in control.
“At Virgin Media O2, we are investing every single day to improve our mobile network and provide a more reliable experience for our customers,†said Jeanie York, CTO at Virgin Media O2. “Greater automation will help us to predict and prevent issues and allow us to better spot and fix problems when they arise, reducing downtime and ensuring customers can trust us to deliver the dependable mobile experience they rely on.â€
Zinkworks CEO Paul Madden added: “mobile operators globally are looking for ways to harness AI at scale, and Virgin Media O2 is at the forefront of this shift. By combining Virgin Media O2’s ambition and our engineering expertise, we are building capabilities that will reduce outages, improve performance and deliver tangible benefits to customers across the UK.â€
This project with VMO2 follows Zinkworks’ partnership with Vodafone,announced in October 2025,to develop a generative AI-driven platform designed to enhance mobile service quality,network energy efficiency,and overall performance for Vodafone customers across Europe.
The resulting platform, called Rapid RIC, is slated to be fully operational by early 2026. It will integrate Vodafone’s data analytics with a user-pleasant visual interface and AI-powered code generation, empowering engineers in multiple markets to more easily develop, deploy, and monitor RAN automation rApps — innovative applications that contribute to network evolution and self-healing capabilities.
