Virtual1 has expanded its network across the UK, extending both its existing footprint within Greater London and out to include a further 180 towns and cities. The company aims to provide the largest and most advanced wholesale-only network in the UK by the end of 2017.
Tom O'Hagan, Virtual1 founder and CEO, stated: "Working closely with both our resellers and carrier partners and understanding the challenges they face in their businesses, I saw the opportunity to disrupt the status quo in the connectivity market by elevating Virtual1 to be a true alternative UK-wide carrier."
The expanded footprint of Virtual1's network has been designed specifically to suit its partners' target markets, so it will cover over 75% of UK businesses.
"Virtual1 will deliver a commercially competitive network, rich in SDN functionality," added O'Hagan. "As our wholesale-only network will be fully software defined, our partners will have complete control of the solutions that we provide for them through our award-winning 1Portal. This is a UK first and it is intended to raise the service standards that UK business should expect from its suppliers."
Two strategic partnerships are critical to Virtual1's expanded network.
Juniper Networks is providing routing and switching solutions across our entire network from edge to core.
Virtual1 had already deployed SDN-ready MX Series 3D Universal Edge Routers to build out a high-capacity core network, and EX Series Ethernet Switches in each of its PoPs.
These were deployed in Virtual Chassis configurations to provide a blend of 100 Megabit and Gigabit Ethernet services.
To enhance network operations, Virtual1 added the ACX Series Universal Access Routers that are controlling the distribution layer within the new roll-out, representing the largest Juniper Networks ACX Series deployment in the UK.
Virtual1 also has a new partnership with Infinera, a provider of Intelligent Transport Networks and key to our metro deployments.
Virtual1 expects to roll out the new network in 2017.