O2 has officially announced that a substantial number of its customers are receiving a complimentary rapid upgrade. This upgrade entails the introduction of faster 5G+ services to users nationwide in the UK, providing improved mobile coverage and significantly quicker download speeds. Users can anticipate a 50% increase in performance compared to the previous 4G network.
Aside from speed and reliability enhancements, the upgrade is also expected to extend device battery life by reducing power consumption. This is achieved by eliminating the need for devices to simultaneously connect to both 4G and 5G networks. Unlike older standard 5G networks that rely on support from 4G towers, this new 5G+ service operates independently.
If you possess a 5G+ compatible device and SIM card, you should now be experiencing this upgrade rollout, covering over 700 towns and cities across the country.
Christian Hindennach, the Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, elaborated on the upgrade, stating, “Our 5G+ service is now accessible to millions of customers throughout the UK, and notably, it is available to all O2 customers regardless of their plan – a feature not offered by other networks. This enhancement boosts performance in high-traffic areas, including large event venues, benefiting residents and visitors alike. It underscores Virgin Media O2’s dedication to improving the network and ensuring a more reliable user experience, with a daily investment of £2 million to prepare customers for upcoming mobile innovations.”
To check the availability of the upgraded service in your local area, you can use O2’s postcode tool provided on their website.
Some popular devices ready for 5G+ include the iPhone 15 range, iPhone 16 series (including 16e and 17), as well as the Google Pixel 9 series (including Fold) and Google Pixel 10 series (including Fold).
5G+, an enhanced iteration of 5G mobile networks, utilizes advanced technologies such as higher-frequency spectrum, enhanced antennas, and network optimization to deliver faster speeds, reduced latency, and increased capacity.