Posted: 07th Dec, 2007 By: MarkJ
It may surprise some to learn that
Virgin Media has selected BT Wholesale to manage the operation and maintenance of its fixed-line voice switching network.
The five year agreement will also see BT manage a number of VMs existing support contracts with specialist third-party hardware and software suppliers for transmission equipment on its behalf:
The total value of the contract is worth an estimated £98 million and will allow
Virgin Media to enjoy significant cost savings as well as focusing on developing the future of its voice network business.
Virgin Medias fixed-line voice switching network supports around 20 percent of all landline telephone connections in the UK. 184 skilled
Virgin Media employees have transferred to BT Wholesale as part of the agreement.
The move is certainly curious for two operators that have traditionally been rivals, though it may reflect the fact that fixed-line voice services have less importance today than they did five years ago.