Why Virgin Media O2 Backs Sustainable Telco Tech with n2s

Virgin Media O2 has entered into a three-year collaboration with technology provider NTT DATA and IT lifecycle firm n2s, targeting the environmental footprint of its UK data centre infrastructure. 

The agreement supports the telco’s push towards more energy-efficient and low-carbon operations, focusing on reusing and recovering value from more than 40,000 IT assets across its estate.

The partnership applies circular economy principles – keeping materials in use for longer – and responsible decommissioning practices to the telco’s network and data centre assets. 

Instead of discarding legacy equipment as waste, Virgin Media O2 now aims to reclaim usable materials, extend hardware lifespan and avoid unnecessary emissions.

An approach like this feeds into the operator’s wider plan to achieve zero waste operations, ensuring that network equipment is either reused or sustainably processed.

Scaling recovery across telco infrastructure

NTT DATA brings its global sustainability experience and infrastructure expertise, while n2s offers specialist knowledge in IT asset recovery. 

Together, they work to minimise waste across Virgin Media O2’s network and data centre sites, while also recovering high-value materials such as copper and gold.

n2s, through its innovation division Bioscope Technologies, uses bioleaching and urban mining processes to extract these materials without relying on carbon-heavy refining or extraction. 

Bioleaching uses natural, low-energy techniques to draw out metals, cutting out the need for traditional chemical-based recovery methods.

In 2025, n2s processes more than 33.5 tonnes of decommissioned equipment, which contributes to avoiding more than 322 tonnes of CO₂e emissions. 

These savings come through a mix of reuse, refurbishment and low-impact recycling. The partnership with Virgin Media O2 now aims to build on that, applying these methods at greater scale within telco infrastructure.

Andrew Gomarsall MBE, Executive Director at n2s, says: “As n2s continues to scale its bioleaching capabilities, this partnership with NTT DATA and Virgin Media O2 reinforces a shared vision for sustainable digital infrastructure – proving that our cities and buildings are the new mines.

“Together, we’re evolving how technology is retired, resources are reclaimed and circular value is created – supporting the UK’s journey to net zero.”

Circular economy meets carbon targets

Virgin Media O2 and NTT DATA are both targeting net zero carbon emissions across their entire value chains by 2040.

The infrastructure work underway now is part of that pathway, demonstrating how a telecoms operator can reuse, recover or recycle network equipment at end of life.

For telcos, where network refresh cycles and large-scale data centres are part of core operations, extending hardware life and recovering embedded value offers a path to both environmental savings and operational efficiency.

The collaboration also aligns with Virgin Media O2’s broader environmental strategy, focused on cutting waste and embedding circular economy principles across its network footprint.

Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, says: “This partnership builds on Virgin Media O2’s commitment to achieving zero waste operations by ensuring our legacy network equipment is responsibly processed, so parts can be recovered and reused or sustainably disposed of.

“We’re proud to lead the way by extending the life of hardware within our own operations and aim to inspire other organisations to do the same so tech and precious materials can be used again and again. This will support the circular economy and help protect the planet, too.”

Towards sustainable enterprise-scale networks

For telecoms operators, the challenge is not just disposing of legacy kit but doing so in a way that fits into long-term environmental targets.

The partnership between Virgin Media O2, NTT DATA and n2s shows how telcos can manage end-of-life infrastructure in a more sustainable way.

The partners aim to prove that large-scale data centre and network infrastructure can support circular economy outcomes – without compromising on performance or operational goals.

Niccolo Spataro, Chief Executive Officer of NTT DATA UKI, says: “As one of the world’s largest digital infrastructure and services providers, we are determined to achieve environmental sustainability – and this partnership exemplifies our commitment. 

“Working with n2s's pioneering bioleaching technology and Virgin Media O2's own ambitious environmental goals, we're proving that responsible technology lifecycle management can deliver both circularity and business value. 

“As we help organisations navigate their digital transformation journeys, ensuring that their legacy equipment is treated as a resource rather than a waste product is central to building a truly sustainable future.”

With more than 40,000 assets due to be sustainably processed, the project represents one of the larger lifecycle initiatives in the telecoms sector.

It combines low-emission technology, hardware recovery and reuse strategies to cut carbon and reduce demand for raw materials.

By scaling up responsible infrastructure management, Virgin Media O2 signals a clear shift in how telecoms operators can meet environmental and operational objectives side by side.