O2 has hit a major milestone with its 5G coverage, as it now offers the next-gen network technology in parts of 150 towns and cities across the UK.
That’s up from 108 at last count, with the new locations including the following: Ambleside, Basingstoke, Bilston, Birkenhead, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bournemouth, Bradley Stoke, Brombourgh, Cheltenham, Clacton-on-Sea, Darlington, Dinas Powis, Dudley, Dunstable, Egham, Falmer, Gloucester, Hastings, Hebburn, Inverness, Iver Heath, Lancaster, Llandudno, Maidstone, Monifieth, Musselburgh, New Denham, Newbury, Portsmouth, Potters Bar, Reading, Rochdale, Salford, Solihull, Southampton, Stockport, Stanraer, Strathclyde, Swansea, Swindon, Wakefield, Watford, Wavetree, West Bromwich, and Wolverhampton.
There’s some significant places on that list, such as Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Swansea, and it’s a list that puts O2 back in line with the likes of Three (which offers 5G in parts of 154 locations), and EE (which has it in parts of 125), as well as being significantly ahead of Vodafone in terms of UK 5G location numbers, as that network was on 57 at last count (though it also offers 5G roaming).
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Ahead of schedule
This 150 locations milestone apparently puts O2 ahead of its targets, but the network isn’t just switching on 5G in new places though, it’s also improving coverage in the places that already have it. Specifically, O2 notes that it has significantly increased its 5G coverage footprint in major cities like London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Liverpool, and Manchester.
Derek McManus, Chief Operating Officer at O2 said: “We are delighted with the progress of our 5G rollout and to be able to offer customers in over 150 locations the benefits of our new high-speed network.
“Once again, we are facing tough lockdown restrictions and we are focused on ensuring we meet the demand for increased network capacity and reliability to keep everyone connected during this time. We’re also proud of leading the charge from an environmental point of view, with 67% of our estate powered by renewable energy as we work with landlords to encourage usage of more renewable sources.”
O2 claims it will continue rolling out 5G, with a focus on the places where customers most need it, as well as continuing to improve coverage in urban areas, through additional cell sites coupled with in-building solutions and small cell deployments.
In fact, it says that it will invest more than ever before into its network, with a focus on densification and improving the customer experience.
That all sounds promising, but whatever the future brings, O2 looks to be in a healthy position for 5G right now, which should please customers.
