Liberty Global and Google Cloud have announced a five-year strategic partnership that will embed AI across Liberty Global’s European operations and develop new consumer, B2B and smart home services.
Under the agreement, Liberty Global will work with Google Cloud to build new TV and device experiences using Google’s Gemini models, while also accelerating Liberty Global’s cloud-led transformation focused on network scalability, security, data sovereignty and operational efficiency.
The companies said the collaboration could include running certain Google Cloud services inside Liberty Global’s own data centres to help meet peak demand, and exploring ways to optimise capacity across Liberty Global’s infrastructure.
Gemini is being integrated into Liberty Global’s Horizon TV platform to improve search and discovery, with planned extensions into customer care to boost responsiveness and first-contact resolution. The partners will also explore bundled offers for Google devices and services across Liberty Global’s consumer brands including Virgin Media O2, Telenet, VodafoneZiggo, Virgin Media Ireland and Sunrise.
Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global, said the expanded partnership would modernise the group’s infrastructure while creating “new revenue opportunities and products” across its operating companies. Tara Brady, President of Google Cloud EMEA, add the goal was to “cut through complexity” and deliver improvements in customer experience and operational performance.
The programme also includes AI-first initiatives aimed at improving reliability and reducing manual intervention through more autonomous network operations, alongside broader work on security, sovereignty and cost efficiencies.
Liberty Global said the partnership expands existing work across parts of its Growth and Services portfolio, including Atlas Edge, Formula E and Liberty Blume. It follows Google Cloud’s recent deal to become Principal Partner and Official AI Partner of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
