Virgin Media Upgrades IPTV Platform With Cisco

Virgin Media has chosen Cisco Systems Inc. to support its IPTV distribution platform and help upgrade its legacy digital TV infrastructure.

Virgin Media’s upgraded TV distribution platform will include Cisco’s IP Next-Generation Network core and edge routing and switching, digital video headend solutions, and system management and monitoring.

Virgin Media will deploy Cisco digital video headend technology in all of its regional and central headends to support standard-definition and high-definition TV services. In addition, Cisco IP core and edge network technology, deployed across Virgin Media’s national fiber-optic network, will provide high-speed distribution between the headends and support delivery to Virgin Media’s high-speed access network. On completion, the new TV platform will be capable of delivering advanced services to more than 12.6 million U.K. homes.

The project, managed by Cisco, includes installation, system integration, the priming of third-party elements, and support provided by the Cisco Advanced Video Services Group.

“Upgrading our digital TV platform means we can continue bringing innovative new services to our customers,” said Daniel Hennessy, director of technical architecture at Virgin Media. “With greater resilience and added capacity, we can guarantee an outstanding viewer experience as we add further HD content to our TV platform. Cisco has the right experience and expertise to deliver a complete solution and help support the rollout of a next generation of entertainment services.”

Currently, Virgin Media also is deploying Cisco DOCSIS 3.0 technology for its 50mbps broadband service rollout in the United Kingdom. Cisco also is providing technology and support in the 200mbps broadband trial, which Virgin Media is running in Ashford, Kent.

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