In a move set to transform how millions of Europeans watch TV and get help with internet problems, Google Cloud and Liberty Global announced a five-year partnership on February 3, 2026, that puts artificial intelligence at the heart of everyday telecom services. The collaboration deploys Gemini AI models across approximately 80 million fixed and mobile connections in Europe, covering well-known brands like Virgin Media O2 in the UK, Telenet in Belgium, and Sunrise in Switzerland.
Gemini AI integration brings conversational search to the Horizon TV platform, letting viewers ask questions naturally instead of clicking through endless menus. Imagine asking your TV to find “funny movies with talking animals” and actually getting helpful results. The same AI technology extends to customer service, helping solve problems faster and often on the first try, which means less time waiting on hold.
Conversational AI search replaces menu navigation, letting viewers naturally ask their TV to find specific content while improving first-contact customer service resolution.
Behind the scenes, Gemini models power predictive maintenance that could reduce network downtime by up to 30 percent based on similar deployments elsewhere. The AI watches network performance constantly, spotting potential issues before customers notice problems. Technicians can use natural language queries to troubleshoot issues, making complex network management feel more like having a conversation than wrestling with technical manuals. Dynamic traffic routing optimizes bandwidth allocation automatically during peak usage periods.
The partnership targets revenue growth beyond traditional telecom services. Liberty Global plans to offer Google products like Pixel phones and smart home devices through its operating companies. For business customers, especially small and medium enterprises, the collaboration promises bundled services combining connectivity with cloud storage, cybersecurity, and AI tools tailored for retail, hospitality, and healthcare sectors. The partnership builds on existing collaborative relationships including Atlas Edge, Formula E, and Liberty Blume.
Security remains central to the partnership, with strong emphasis on GDPR compliance through encryption, careful data management, and privacy-by-design principles. Data residency tools ensure information stays within appropriate borders, addressing European concerns about data sovereignty.
This partnership strengthens Google Cloud’s European presence while giving Liberty Global the AI capabilities needed to compete in an increasingly digital marketplace. The real test will be whether these technological upgrades translate into noticeably better experiences for the millions of households and businesses relying on these services daily. Additionally, the deployment could enable faster settlement times for digital services and transactions enabled by tokenization and smart contracts, opening new business models for telecom operators.
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