Google Cloud and Liberty Global have signed a landmark five-year strategic partnership that will embed artificial intelligence across the telecom group’s European operations. Announced on 3 February 2026, the agreement centres on deploying Google’s Gemini models and other cloud tools to serve Liberty Global’s roughly 80 million fixed and mobile connections.
Customers stand to gain directly from the collaboration. New services, devices, and television experiences will harness Gemini’s capabilities, with particular focus on enhancing AI-powered search and content discovery on Liberty Global’s Horizon TV platform. Automation of customer service operations will also receive a significant boost.
Beyond consumer-facing improvements, the partnership targets operational excellence. Liberty Global will work with Google Cloud on AI-first initiatives designed to strengthen network scalability, reliability, and security. The companies will explore autonomous network operations, pursue greater data sovereignty, and drive cost efficiencies. Discussions are also underway to run Google Cloud services within Liberty Global’s own data centres.
Mike Fries, Chief Executive of Liberty Global, described the deal as a significant milestone. “Our expanded partnership with Google Cloud represents a significant milestone for Liberty Global as we continue to innovate and enhance the experiences we offer our customers.”
Tara Brady, President of Google Cloud EMEA, highlighted the shared ambition. “We are deepening our partnership with Liberty Global to deliver transformative solutions that enhance customer experience and drive operational excellence.”
This alliance reflects a wider trend among telecom operators. Traditional cable and broadband providers face mounting pressure to evolve beyond connectivity into intelligent, personalised services. AI offers a path to differentiate in a crowded market, where customers increasingly expect seamless, predictive experiences across devices.
For Liberty Global, the partnership could prove transformative. Integrating Gemini models into Horizon TV could sharpen content recommendations and search functionality, potentially lifting engagement and retention rates. Meanwhile, AI-driven network management promises fewer outages, faster fault resolution, and lower operational costs – advantages that strengthen competitive positioning across Europe.
The deal also underscores Google Cloud’s accelerating momentum in enterprise AI. As one of Alphabet’s fastest-growing divisions, it has secured major contracts by offering scalable infrastructure and advanced models tailored to specific industries. For telecoms, the promise lies in turning raw connectivity into smart, value-added services.
Executives at both companies recognise the stakes. A successful rollout could set a benchmark for how legacy telecom players harness AI to future-proof their businesses. Failure to deliver meaningful improvements, however, risks leaving customers unimpressed and competitors free to gain ground.
In an era where technology reshapes entire industries within months, partnerships of this scale demand precision and speed. Liberty Global and Google Cloud have now committed to that journey together. The results will unfold over the coming years, one AI-enhanced experience at a time.
Author:Oje.Ese