Imagine agrees infrastructure deal with Viatel Technology

Niall Tallon, CEO of Imagine. Broadband provider Imagine will migrate its network infrastucture into Viatel Technology Group's Dublin data centre under a new multi-year strategic infrastructure partnership announced on Thursday.
Picture: Naoise Culhane

Broadband provider Imagine will migrate its network infrastucture into Viatel Technology Group's Dublin data centre under a new multi-year strategic infrastructure partnership announced on Thursday.

Imagine said the agreement will result in improved speeds and reliability for its network and will allow it to leverage Viatel’s high-capacity fibre backbone to access SIRO’s wholesale fibre offering for new and current customers. Viatel will also support elements of Imagine’s internal digital transformation, advising in cybersecurity and software licensing.

“As we continue the transformation of Imagine as a fibre-first and 5G-enabled future, the partnership with Viatel gives us the infrastructure resilience, network capability, and operational flexibility we need to continue scaling our fibre business while maintaining our customer-first approach," said Imagine chief executive Niall Tallon.

"Viatel shares our outlook on the Irish market, particularly the importance of maintaining strong indigenous competition, supporting smaller operators and delivering sensible long-term pricing for customers. There is strong alignment in how we approach customers, investment and long-term growth. Viatel is an incredible Irish company that has diversified itself from a connectivity provider to a truly meaningful technology company covering technology infrastructure, network, cyber and Microsoft software. I am very excited about the possibilities our partnership presents.” 

The Viatel partnership is the latest in a number of strategic network investments made by Imagine this year, including agreements with open eir and SIRO to further strengthening the provider’s delivery of broadband and mobile connectivity across Ireland.

Damien McCann, managing director of communications services at Viatel Technology Group said: "We see our data centres as strategic enablers of the Irish digital economy. For a provider like Imagine, housing their core infrastructure within our secure estate and linking it directly to our high-capacity backbone provides the on-ramp needed to move customers onto a future-proofed fibre network.

“Internet service providers like Imagine who have built strong businesses on legacy technologies are now looking for flexible and efficient paths to fibre. Our network-sharing model gives operators immediate access to a high-speed nationwide platform, enabling them to upgrade existing and new customer portfolios with next-generation fibre capabilities.”