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Virgin Media O2 owners in talks to buy UK broadband rival Netomnia, sources say

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 3, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: February 3, 2026

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Virgin Media O2 owners in talks to buy UK broadband rival Netomnia, sources say
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By Paul Sandle and Amy-Jo Crowley LONDON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Virgin Media O2’s owners are in advanced talks to buy UK-based Netomnia, two people familiar with the matter said, in a step towards

Virgin Media O2 Negotiates Acquisition of UK Broadband Rival Netomnia

Acquisition of Netomnia by Virgin Media O2

By Paul Sandle and Amy-Jo Crowley

Details of the Deal

LONDON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Virgin Media O2’s owners are in advanced talks to buy UK-based Netomnia, two people familiar with the matter said, in a step towards expected consolidation of UK altnet providers.

Impact on the UK Broadband Market

Telefonica and Liberty Global have teamed up with private equity firm InfraVia Capital to buy the broadband network through their jointly owned fibre business Nexfibre for about 2 billion pounds ($2.73 billion), the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. A deal could be announced later this week, the report added.

About Nexfibre and Netomnia

Netomnia declined to comment. 

Nexfibre, which is the UK’s fourth-largest broadband network, is jointly owned by Virgin Media O2 and InfraVia. 

A deal involving Nexfibre and Netomnia would give VMO2 access to roughly 8 million homes and 20 million premises in total, according to the report.    

($1 = 0.7323 pounds)

(Reporting by Paul Sandle in London. Writing by Amy-Jo Crowley. Editing by Anousha Sakoui)

Key Takeaways

  • Virgin Media O2 is negotiating to acquire Netomnia.
  • The deal involves Telefonica, Liberty Global, and InfraVia.
  • Nexfibre would gain access to 8 million homes.
  • The acquisition is valued at about 2 billion pounds.
  • A formal announcement is expected soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an acquisition?
An acquisition occurs when one company purchases most or all of another company's shares to gain control. This often leads to consolidation in the market.
What is broadband?
Broadband refers to high-speed internet access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up access. It enables users to stream, download, and browse efficiently.
What is a telecommunications company?
A telecommunications company provides services related to communication over distances, including phone, internet, and television services.
What is the UK economy?
The UK economy is the economic system of the United Kingdom, characterized by a mixed economy that includes various sectors such as services, manufacturing, and agriculture.
What is a private equity firm?
A private equity firm invests in companies by purchasing their shares, often aiming to improve their performance and sell them at a profit.

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