O2 has officially announced that millions of its customers are receiving a complimentary high-speed upgrade. This upgrade is introducing faster 5G+ services to users throughout the UK, providing improved mobile coverage and significantly faster download speeds. O2 guarantees a 50% increase in speed compared to the older 4G network.
Apart from speed and reliability enhancements, the upgrade is also expected to prolong battery life as devices consume less power by no longer needing to connect to both 4G and 5G networks simultaneously. Unlike older standard 5G technology, which relies on 4G support, this new service eliminates the need for dual connectivity.
If you possess a 5G+ compatible device and SIM card, you should start experiencing this upgrade now, with over 700 towns and cities being activated.
Christian Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, elaborated on the upgrade, stating, “Our 5G+ service is now accessible to millions of customers across the UK, available to all O2 users regardless of their plans, setting us apart from other networks. The upgrade enhances performance in busy areas, including large venues with significant crowds, benefiting residents and visitors alike. This initiative underscores Virgin Media O2’s commitment to improving our network and providing a more dependable experience. We are investing £2 million daily to assist our customers in preparing for the upcoming mobile innovations.”
To check the availability of this service in your locality, you can use O2’s postcode tool provided on their website.
Some of the popular devices that are 5G+ ready include:
– iPhone 15 range
– iPhone 16 range (including 16e)
– iPhone 17 range
– Google Pixel 9 series (including Fold)
– Google Pixel 10 series (including Fold)
5G+ refers to an upgraded version of 5G mobile networks that utilizes advanced technologies such as higher-frequency spectrum, enhanced antennas, and network optimization to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity.