- Virgin Media O2 today turned on its next-generation 5G standalone network in 14 cities across the UK
- Virgin Media O2’s new 5G standalone network offers higher bandwidth and lower latency connections, so customers can experience wider 5G coverage and more reliable connections.
- The carrier’s rollout is progressing rapidly, in line with the UK Government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy objective of establishing 5G standalone coverage in all populated areas by 2030.
Virgin Media O2 today announced the launch of its 5G standalone network in 14 cities across the UK.
Customers in 14 locations* will be the first to access this major upgrade that brings wider 5G coverage, higher bandwidth, and improved latency.
The new network will be available at no additional charge to consumers with 5G Standalone compatible SIMs and devices**, allowing customers to seamlessly switch between 4G, 5G, or 5G Standalone for the best connectivity wherever they are. You will be able to experience it.
Unlike existing 5G services, which have relied on parts of the 4G network to send and receive data, Virgin Media O2’s 5G standalone network uses the latest future-proof wireless infrastructure and a completely cloud-based core. It’s a completely new network built. Thanks to this multi-million pound investment, customers will benefit from improved network reliability and increased area coverage.
5G standalone increases network capacity, reduces latency, and supports a significant increase in the number of connected devices. This will enable many innovative use cases related to 5G, such as autonomous transportation solutions, telemedicine, and fully robotic factories. It also enables network slicing, paving the way for Virgin Media O2 to offer dedicated services such as augmented reality, gaming, advanced robotics, and other business use cases.
The 5G standalone network also uses more energy-efficient technology, helping Virgin Media O2 reduce energy use and emissions in line with its ambitious Better Connections Plan.
The rollout of 5G standalone follows another year of significant investment in Virgin Media O2’s mobile network, with the company now providing 5G services to more than 50% of the UK population.
Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “The launch of 5G standalone is the culmination of a multi-year program and a real leap forward in the evolution of mobile networks.Although still in its early stages, the customer-centric rollout will continue throughout 2024, with some consumer will reap immediate benefits such as improved reliability and coverage. This new technology will future-proof our mobile networks for years to come and will open our doors to exciting customer-driven innovations in the future. I’ll clear the way.”
Kester Mann, director of consumer and connectivity at CCS Insight, said:: “The launch of 5G standalone is an important milestone for Virgin Media O2 that opens the door to the delivery of a number of new services. Many of these are related to our long-term vision for 5G, such as network slicing and ultra-low latency applications. With availability in 14 cities across the UK, many customers will already be able to benefit from faster speeds and increased network capacity.”
Virgin Media O2 continues to invest in its network to improve mobile connectivity for even more customers, and plans to continue rolling out 5G standalone to more towns and cities across the UK in 2024. Last year, the company upgraded its 4G network in more than 465,000 postcodes in the UK.
Watch the 5G standalone animation here.
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*Virgin Media O2’s 5G standalone is available from today in the following cities:
- manchester
- liverpool
- London
- lincoln
- birmingham
- sheffield
- glasgow
- newcastle
- leeds
- yoke
- belfast
- cardiff
- nottingham
- Slough
**Customers need the latest software and R15 SIM to access 5G Standalone. This is available on the following devices:
- Samsung S24
- Samsung S24+
- samsung s24 ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S23+
- samsung galaxy s23 ultra
- Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 5G
- samsung galaxy s22
- Samsung Galaxy S22+
- samsung galaxy s22 ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Sony Xperia 1V
- Sony Xperia 5V
- samsung galaxy s23
- Netgear M6
- Samsung A25
