O2, now part of Virgin Media, is expanding its services by introducing 5G Standalone technology in 500 towns and cities across the UK. This advancement will benefit over 45 million people, making it the largest 5G Standalone deployment in the country.
For those unfamiliar with 5G Standalone, it offers improved connectivity that is faster and more reliable than previous 4G services. Users connected to O2’s 5G signal will enjoy broader coverage, faster download speeds, and reduced latency.
Existing users with 5G-ready devices and plans will receive these upgrades at no additional cost. The recent milestone was celebrated in Bakewell, Derbyshire, as the 500th location to benefit from Virgin Media O2’s 5G Standalone rollout.
O2 highlighted that their new 5G Standalone network is independent of 4G elements, enhancing reliability and paving the way for next-gen digital experiences. Users should seamlessly experience the improved speeds without any action needed.
Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, Jeanie York, emphasized the company’s commitment to investing in network improvements to provide a more reliable experience for customers. The expansion to 500 towns and cities, covering 70% of the population, aims to future-proof the network for upcoming customer-led innovations.
In a similar move, EE announced significant network updates, including the introduction of Advanced RAN Coordination (ARC) technology to enhance the performance of its 5G network. This advancement promises faster download speeds, better video streaming, and more reliable connections for smartphones connected to the EE 5G network.