SD-WAN · SASE · UK-Focused
Virgin Media Business SD-WAN & SASE Review
Virgin Media Business is a UK-based connectivity and managed services provider that delivers SD-WAN and SASE solutions built on its own national fibre and ethernet infrastructure. Unlike global SASE-first vendors, Virgin Media Business bundles the network underlay and software overlay into a single managed service, using Versa Networks as its default SD-WAN platform and Zscaler for cloud security. Its primary differentiator is end-to-end ownership of both the access layer and service management for UK-focused deployments.
Quick Facts — Virgin Media Business
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full company name | VMED O2 UK Limited, trading as Virgin Media O2 / Virgin Media Business |
| Headquarters | Reading, Berkshire, England (Green Park) |
| Founded | Virgin Media Ltd. est. 2007; Virgin Media O2 joint venture formed June 2021 |
| Primary product | Managed SD-WAN (Versa Networks) with Zscaler SASE overlay |
| Architecture | Hybrid — own fibre/ethernet underlay with cloud-delivered SASE overlay |
| Global PoPs | Not applicable — Virgin Media Business is UK-focused; global reach is via partner agreements |
| UK infrastructure | 330 Ethernet PoPs across the UK; 38,000 street cabinets; dedicated leased lines up to 100Gbps |
| SASE capability | Partial — SASE delivered via Zscaler partnership (not a native single-vendor SASE platform) |
| SD-WAN capability | Full — managed SD-WAN (Versa Networks default) with underlay and overlay bundled |
| Target market | SMB through to large enterprise; public sector |
| UK channel | Direct (Virgin Media O2 Business) and via O2 Daisy (post-2025 B2B merger) |
| Gartner position | Versa Networks (SD-WAN vendor underpinning the service) is a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for SD-WAN (2024) and recognised in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SASE Platforms. Virgin Media Business itself is not evaluated directly by Gartner as a vendor. |
What Netify Thinks
Virgin Media Business offers a genuinely differentiated proposition in the UK market: end-to-end ownership of both the network underlay and the SD-WAN overlay under a single managed service. For UK-focused IT teams without dedicated network specialists, this bundled approach removes the complexity of managing separate ISP and software vendor relationships.
Strengths
- End-to-end managed service: Virgin Media Business manages both the underlay (fibre, leased lines, broadband) and the SD-WAN overlay, reducing the finger-pointing between ISP and software vendor that trips up other deployments. This is genuinely useful for IT teams without dedicated network specialists.
- Extensive UK infrastructure: With 330 Ethernet PoPs and 38,000 street cabinets, Virgin Media's own network covers a significant proportion of UK business sites. Leased lines reach up to 10Gbps standard (100Gbps on request), with a 99.995% availability SLA — figures competitive with BT and Colt.
- Credible vendor stack: Versa Networks has been a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader for SD-WAN for five consecutive years (most recently 2024). Zscaler is consistently recognised for cloud security. Customers are not tied to obscure or mid-tier technology.
Weaknesses
- Limited vendor choice: Versa Networks is the default SD-WAN vendor; Zscaler the default for SASE. Customers wanting Palo Alto, Fortinet, or Cisco Meraki-led managed services must either self-manage or look elsewhere. The single-vendor approach keeps costs down but restricts customisation.
- Not a global provider: Virgin Media Business operates a UK-only owned network. Global connectivity depends on partner agreements, which introduces a different service model and potentially different SLAs outside the UK. This matters for multinationals.
- Granularity concerns: Some enterprise buyers report that self-service control is limited compared to providers who expose more of the underlying Versa or Zscaler platforms directly. For businesses with in-house network teams who want to fine-tune policy, this can be a frustration.
Verdict: Best suited to UK-centric organisations — from SMBs to large enterprises and public sector bodies — that want a fully managed, single-provider SD-WAN and SASE service with minimal internal complexity.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- End-to-end managed service: underlay and overlay managed under a single SLA
- 330 Ethernet PoPs and 38,000 street cabinets — extensive UK-owned network
- Leased lines up to 10Gbps standard (100Gbps on request)
- 99.995% availability SLA — competitive with BT and Colt
- Credible vendor stack: Versa Networks (Gartner MQ Leader) + Zscaler
- G-Cloud listed — public sector procurement available
- Post-2025 Daisy Group merger may extend indirect distribution across additional UK partners
Cons
- Limited vendor choice — Versa Networks and Zscaler only; no Palo Alto, Fortinet, or Meraki-led managed service
- UK-only owned network — global connectivity relies on partner agreements with potentially different SLAs
- Limited self-service control compared to providers exposing underlying Versa or Zscaler platforms directly
- Not suitable for multinationals requiring consistent global SLAs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Virgin Media Business?
Virgin Media Business is the enterprise and business connectivity arm of Virgin Media O2, a joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefonica formed in June 2021. It provides managed SD-WAN, SASE, leased lines, broadband, and VoIP services to UK businesses, with its SD-WAN solution built on Versa Networks technology and its SASE capability delivered in partnership with Zscaler.
How much does Virgin Media Business SD-WAN cost?
Virgin Media Business does not publish standard SD-WAN pricing publicly — costs are quoted per deployment based on the number of sites, bandwidth requirements, contract term, and whether the full managed service or a self-serve option is selected. Indicative guidance from market comparisons: leased line underlay (required for most enterprise SD-WAN deployments) from approximately £185/month for a 100Mbps dedicated line; SD-WAN managed service fees are typically charged per-site per-month on top of connectivity, with contract terms of 1, 3, or 5 years available; SASE/Zscaler security is priced separately and based on the number of users and services required. For accurate pricing, request a quote directly via Virgin Media O2 Business or use the Netify RFP Builder to receive competitive bids.
Is Virgin Media Business good for UK deployments?
Yes — Virgin Media Business is one of the strongest choices for UK-only or predominantly UK deployments. The network uses Virgin Media's own fibre and ethernet infrastructure (330 Ethernet PoPs, 38,000 street cabinets), avoiding reliance on BT Openreach circuits in many urban and suburban areas. The 99.995% availability SLA is comparable with BT and Colt for dedicated lines. Public sector organisations can procure through the G-Cloud framework. Post-2025, the B2B division has merged with Daisy Group, which may extend indirect distribution across additional UK partners. For multinationals requiring consistent global coverage, Virgin Media Business relies on partner agreements outside the UK, which introduces additional complexity.
How does Virgin Media Business compare to BT SD-WAN?
Virgin Media Business uses Versa Networks as its default SD-WAN vendor and owns its UK fibre/ethernet network. BT uses multiple vendors (Cisco, Juniper, and others) and owns both the UK Openreach network and a global MPLS backbone. Virgin Media Business offers a self-serve portal; BT does not offer a co-managed or DIY SD-WAN option. Virgin Media Business is typically better suited to UK-focused, cost-conscious organisations wanting a single managed service; BT is better suited to larger enterprises needing global reach with a UK anchor.
| Factor | Virgin Media Business | BT |
|---|---|---|
| SD-WAN vendor | Versa Networks (default) | Multiple — Cisco, Juniper, others depending on product line |
| Underlay ownership | Own UK fibre/ethernet network | Own UK network (Openreach); global MPLS backbone |
| SASE capability | Partial — via Zscaler partnership | Partial — does not offer full single-vendor SASE |
| DIY/self-serve option | Yes — self-serve portal available | No co-managed or DIY SD-WAN option |
| Global reach | UK-owned; partner-dependent globally | Strong global IP backbone and PoP density |
| Public sector | Yes — G-Cloud listed | Yes — G-Cloud listed |
| Typical fit | UK-focused, cost-conscious, wants single managed service | Larger enterprises needing global reach with a UK anchor |
Include Virgin Media Business in your SASE RFP
Use the Netify RFP Builder to build a structured, vendor-neutral SASE RFP and receive competitive bids.
Build Your SASE RFP