O2 has officially announced a large-scale free upgrade for millions of its customers, introducing faster 5G+ service nationwide in the UK. This enhancement not only provides improved mobile coverage but also significantly accelerates download speeds, with a promised 50% increase over the previous 4G technology.
In addition to speed and reliability enhancements, the upgrade is expected to result in longer battery life for users. This is due to devices consuming less power by no longer needing to connect simultaneously to both 4G and 5G networks, a departure from the older standard 5G that relies on 4G support.
The rollout of this upgrade is currently underway for users with 5G+ compatible devices and SIM cards, with activation spanning more than 700 towns and cities across the country.
Virgin Media O2’s Chief Commercial Officer, Christian Hindennach, elaborated on the benefits of the new 5G+ service, highlighting its availability to all O2 customers regardless of their plans. This upgrade is designed to enhance performance in high-traffic areas, such as major venues, benefiting both residents and visitors. Hindennach emphasized the company’s commitment to network improvement and the delivery of a more reliable user experience, with a daily investment of £2 million to support customers in embracing upcoming mobile innovations.
To determine local availability, users can check using O2’s postcode tool provided on their website. Some popular 5G+ compatible devices include the iPhone 15, 16, and 17 ranges, as well as the Google Pixel 9 and 10 series.
5G+ denotes an advanced iteration of 5G networks that leverage cutting-edge technologies like higher-frequency spectrum, enhanced antennas, and network optimization to deliver faster speeds, reduced latency, and increased capacity.
