O2 customers will notice a boost to their 5G mobile connection in even more locations as the operator continues a huge upgrade to its network.
The move should mean faster, more reliable 5G in 500 locations across the UK.
2
It’s all thanks to a technology called 5G standalone, which is a higher performing version of 5G that better handles congestion on the network.
This can also unlock big benefits for autonomous transport, remote healthcare and fully robotic factories.
At the moment, a lot of the 5G in use across all networks is actually non-standalone, which is some 4G tech mixed in with 5G upgrades, therefore connections aren’t at their full speed potential.
O2 has just switched on 5G standalone at the historic town of Bakewell, Derbyshire.
The firm has marked the milestone with the creation of a record-breaking giant Bakewell Tart.
O2 says its 5G Standalone is available to more than 70 per cent of the UK population – which is about 49million people – making it the country’s largest deployment of the tech.
“We are investing £2m every single day to improve our mobile network and provide a more reliable experience for our customers,” said Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2.
“By expanding our 5G Standalone network to 500 towns and cities and 70% of the population, we are continuing to deliver on that and are excited about the opportunities the new network will bring.
“This customer-centric rollout is about futureproofing our network and will pave the way for exciting customer led innovations that lie ahead.”
In all 500 locations now with 5G Standalone, Virgin Media O2 claims it has at least 90 per cent outdoor coverage ensuring that customers looking to benefit from the technology receive a reliable and consistent experience.
And customers don’t need to do anything to take advantage of this free upgrade – as long as you have a 5G Standalone-compatible phone, which most modern devices are these days.
Kester Mann, Director of Consumer and Connectivity at CCS Insight, said: “Expanding 5G standalone coverage to 500 towns and cities is a significant milestone that will improve the mobile experience for millions of O2 customers across the UK.
“Not only will it support faster speeds and ensure more reliable connections, but it also paves the way for the introduction of innovative services in the future, particularly for the enterprise market.”
2
