O2 5G boost: New smartphone upgrade could help YOU get better service

O2 customers that are struggling to get access to super-fast 5G connections have been delivered a big boost. The leading mobile operator, which is now known as Virgin Media O2 after a recent rubber-stamped merger, has announced that it is starting to deploy the newly released 700MHz spectrum band for its 5G network. That may not sound like the most exciting news at first, but it has real benefits to the availability of 5G. That’s because this lower frequency is pivotal to delivering 5G service to more people, especially in rural areas. The 700MHz frequency can travel further than the higher frequency bands that tend to be used in the city, and are also more effective at penetrating building walls. So if you’re out in the sticks and unable to get 5G service at the moment this could all be about to change.

According to ISPreview, the deployment of the first 700Mhz band by Virgin Media O2 happened recently in Cardiff.

This was initially highlighted by mobile expert Peter Clarke on LinkedIn.

In a post online Clarke said: “O2 (Telefónica UK) (Virgin Media O2) decisively leaps straight to 5G deployment on their recently acquired 700MHz spectrum in a move afforded by their highly capable existing low band 4G capacity strategy twinned with highly flexible multiband radios.

“700MHz NR was first spotted in the wild by Jake M. on the recently installed Ericsson flagship unilateral monopoles in Cardiff.”

A spokesperson for Virgin Media O2 said the deployment of low-band frequencies would strengthen its 5G network, and that it would be rolled out based on customers’ needs.

A rep for the mobile operator said: “We are already leveraging our leading position in low-band spectrum to strengthen the experience of our 5G network, and have started deploying this spectrum based on customer need.”

The news comes after EE also announced they would be deploying the 700MHz band to its 5G network in October.

Areas set to benefit from this to start with include Redditch, Morecambe and Cramlington.

David Salam, director of mobile at EE, said: “As the UK’s best network, we continue to look for ways to provide our customers with the best 5G service possible.

“By further enhancing the indoor 5G coverage we provide, we’re helping boost the experience for those with the latest smartphones, allowing them to get the most from them in more places across the UK.”