LONDON, Feb 3 - Google Cloud and Liberty Global have formed a five-year strategic partnership to bring Google’s Gemini AI models and other cloud services to the cable operator’s European footprint. Liberty Global, which reports roughly 80 million fixed and mobile connections across Europe, said the collaboration will underpin a range of consumer and business initiatives across its operating units.
Under the agreement, Liberty Global will integrate AI capabilities into its Horizon TV platform to enable AI-powered search and discovery for viewers, and will use cloud tools to automate customer-service functions. The companies said they will also make additional Google consumer hardware available through Liberty’s regional units, including Pixel smartphones and watches as well as smart-home devices.
The deal expands an existing relationship between the two firms and targets several operational and commercial objectives. Liberty Global said the programme is designed to improve network reliability and security and to pursue autonomous network operations. It also left open the possibility that Google Cloud could make use of spare capacity in Liberty’s data centres, including capacity available via the AtlasEdge joint venture.
Beyond consumer-facing products and services, the partners indicated they will pursue opportunities in the business-to-business segment. The partnership will target small-business customers with offerings that combine cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity and AI capabilities. The companies also said they will explore ways to monetise telecoms data generated by Liberty Global’s networks while adhering to privacy requirements.
"Our expanded partnership with Google Cloud represents a significant milestone for Liberty Global," Mike Fries, chief executive of Liberty Global, said in a statement.
"Our goal is simple: to use technology to cut through complexity and bring value to our customers and partners," Tara Brady, Google Cloud president for the EMEA region, said.
Liberty Global’s operating units named in the announcement include Britain’s Virgin Media O2, Belgium’s Telenet, the Netherlands’ VodafoneZiggo and Switzerland’s Sunrise. The partners said the arrangement builds on prior cooperation and is intended to combine Google Cloud’s AI and cloud stack with Liberty Global’s consumer and network assets.
The firms noted that AI partnerships have grown across the telecoms sector as operators look to lower network costs, develop additional revenue streams and continue investments in fibre and 5G networks. The new five-year programme is framed as a way to advance both customer-facing experiences and network-level efficiencies while expanding the range of Google products available through Liberty Global’s distribution channels.