Sponsored by Virgin Media O2 Business

Trust, transparency and technology: Why the right partnership benefits your business in the connected age

Two digital hands shaking
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Picture a traffic officer on the M1's hard shoulder, attempting to log a serious incident on a device that's about as responsive as a frozen computer. Now imagine the same scenario with a single-touch login, instant connectivity, and real-time data access. This isn't a hypothetical – it's the tangible result of a partnership between Virgin Media O2 Business and Samsung that's quietly transforming how British businesses operate.

While the market churns out endless proclamations about digital transformation, the reality is stark: many such initiatives fail to reach their goals. The difference between success and failure often lies not in the technology itself, but in the ecosystem that powers it. This is where the collaboration between Virgin Media O2 Business' network infrastructure and Samsung's device ecosystem offers something genuinely different.

The power of partnership: Virgin Media O2 Business and Samsung

The Virgin Media O2 Business-Samsung alliance brings together two crucial elements that typically operate in isolation: network infrastructure and device intelligence. Think of it as the difference between having a high-performance engine and smooth tyres versus having a perfectly tuned racing car.

The partnership manifests in thoroughly practical terms: Samsung's Galaxy XCover series devices arrive pre-configured to optimise Virgin Media O2 Business’ network capabilities, while the Galaxy Book laptops leverage network-slicing technology to prioritise business-critical applications. In plain English, that means your video call won't stutter just because someone in the office is downloading the entire corporate archive.

Beyond the hardware, there's the intelligence layer. Samsung's Knox security platform integrates directly with Virgin Media O2 Business’ network-level security protocols, creating a zero-trust architecture that doesn't require an IT degree to navigate. It's the kind of integration that looks deceptively simple on the surface but represents rather more engineering prowess than most care to contemplate.

Virgin Media O2 Business: the backbone of connectivity

Let's be clear about what 'superior network infrastructure' actually means in 2025. Virgin Media O2 Business’ network isn't just about raw speed – though its business connections are impressively swift. The real innovation lies in its adaptive architecture.

The network employs dynamic resource allocation, automatically shifting bandwidth and computing power to where businesses need it most. When a company's cloud applications demand more resources, the system responds in milliseconds, not minutes. This adaptability has proved crucial for businesses across the financial sector, where transaction processing times can make or break customer satisfaction.

The mobile aspect isn't merely a bolt-on either. O2's network operates on a principle of seamless handover, meaning your connection doesn't just switch between 5G and 4G – it optimises for your specific application needs. Video calls automatically prioritise low latency over raw speed, while large file transfers get the full bandwidth when needed.

Samsung devices: elevating business mobility and productivity

While most corporate device rollouts have all the excitement of watching paint dry, Samsung's business tech suite is rather more intriguing. The Galaxy XCover 6 Pro, for instance, isn't just another rugged phone wrapped in rubber. It's essentially a mobile command centre that happens to survive being dropped in a puddle.

The clever bit isn't in the specs – though they're thoroughly decent – but in how these devices interface with Virgin Media O2 Business’ network architecture. Samsung's Knox system doesn't merely tick the usual security boxes; it creates what's essentially a digital fortress that travels with your workforce. The Bixby assistant, meanwhile, has evolved from a rather chatty novelty into something genuinely useful for business, automating those mind-numbing tasks that eat away at productivity.

What's particularly refreshing is how Samsung has solved the traditional enterprise mobility conundrum. Instead of forcing businesses to choose between durability and sophistication, they've managed to pack their enterprise-grade security and productivity tools into devices that wouldn't look out of place in a trendy coffee shop or on a construction site.

Working smarter, not harder

The phrase 'working smarter' has been flogged to death by countless PowerPoint presentations, but here's the thing: when you combine Virgin Media O2 Business’ network smarts with Samsung's device intelligence, it actually means something.

Take a typical remote working scenario. Rather than cobbling together various tools and hoping they play nicely, you've got a system that knows when you're joining a video call and automatically optimises your connection. Your device seamlessly switches between Wi-Fi and mobile networks without dropping your VPN connection, and your security protocols remain firmly in place whether you're in the office or perched in your garden shed.

It's rather like having a very capable personal assistant who's also a technical wizard – one who ensures everything just works without you having to think about the underlying complexity.

General benefits of the partnership

Partnering with Virgin Media O2 Business and Samsung offers numerous advantages beyond basic connectivity and device provision. Built on trust and transparency, the collaboration ensures businesses are confident in their technology investments through open communication and reliable service delivery. Comprehensive support from setup to maintenance reduces the burden on internal IT teams, while the integrated approach optimises technology use, enhances productivity, and minimises downtime, leading to cost savings.

Advanced cybersecurity measures safeguard sensitive data, ensuring security and compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, continuous innovation provides access to the latest technologies, fostering improvement and keeping businesses competitive. The combined expertise of Virgin Media O2 Business and Samsung delivers a robust, future-proof solution that meets the evolving needs of modern enterprises, empowering them to operate efficiently and securely in a dynamic market environment.

On the road to better connectivity

Nothing illustrates this partnership's practical impact quite like the National Highways transformation. Their traffic officers faced a daily challenge that would test anyone's patience: trying to manage critical road incidents while wrestling with technology better suited to a museum than a motorway.

The solution came in the form of Samsung's Galaxy XCover 6 Pro, but the device itself was only part of the story. The real transformation emerged from how seamlessly it integrated with Virgin Media O2 Business’ network infrastructure. Traffic officers now handle incidents with a single touch, accessing essential information instantly rather than performing the digital equivalent of interpretive dance at the roadside.

As Jon Rayner, Project Manager at National Highways, rather succinctly puts it: 'One touch and they're into everything.' It's the kind of elegant simplicity that only comes from thorough technical complexity behind the scenes.

Inspiring and encouraging business transformation

The tech industry loves nothing more than a good partnership announcement, complete with handshakes and platitudes about synergy. But the Virgin Media O2 Business-Samsung alliance demonstrates something rather more substantial: that the right combination of network infrastructure and device intelligence can transform how businesses actually operate.

The National Highways success story isn't just about shiny new devices or faster networks – it's about how the right technology partnership can solve real business challenges. For organisations pondering their own digital transformation, it's worth noting that the most effective solutions often come not from revolutionary new technologies, but from the intelligent integration of proven ones.

In an era where every tech vendor promises digital transformation, the Virgin Media O2 Business-Samsung partnership offers something refreshingly different: technology that simply works, backed by the infrastructure to keep it working. And in the end, isn't that what we're all after?

ITPro

ITPro is a global business technology website providing the latest news, analysis, and business insight for IT decision-makers. Whether it's cyber security, cloud computing, IT infrastructure, or business strategy, we aim to equip leaders with the data they need to make informed IT investments.

For regular updates delivered to your inbox and social feeds, be sure to sign up to our daily newsletter and follow on us LinkedIn and Twitter.