Ericsson and Nokia scored deals with Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) to upgrade the carrier's radio access network (RAN) in the United Kingdom.

The multi-year agreements call for the vendors to upgrade sites across the country with updated 5G technology to boost capacity, coverage, and reliability, with Ericsson serving as the primary partner.

As part of the deal, the majority of VMO2’s RAN will be upgraded to the latest 5G technology, enhancing sites with next-generation radios and baseband equipment to increase capacity in busy areas and improve 4G performance for customers across the network.

VMO2 said the agreements will also support the evolution of its 5G network as the operator expects to support advanced capabilities such as network slicing, paving the way for future 5G-Advanced services.

As part of the modernization, VMO2 plans to deploy more energy-efficient equipment and AI software to optimize network performance in real time, reducing energy consumption while delivering a more consistent experience for users.

The operator also aims to shift multiband radios to deliver significant operational and environmental benefits by replacing multiple radios per site in a bid to simplify deployment and acquisition and reduce energy consumption.

VMO2 said network upgrades are already underway as the company focuses on improving connectivity in high-demand locations such as transport hubs, routes, stadiums, and city centers.

The investment is part of VMO2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, with the operator pledging to invest $920 million into its mobile network in 2026 to deliver significant network performance improvements across the U.K.

Ericsson and Nokia secured a combined $2.7 billion contract from VodafoneThree last September in a deal to expand and upgrade the carrier's 5G network infrastructure in the U.K. Ericsson is the primary partner in that deal, securing approximately 59% based on the number of sites.

Update: An earlier version of this article stated that the vendor split was 55/45, which was incorrect and has since been removed.