When we talk about 5G coverage we’re always quick to point out that in most places it’s still patchy (if it’s present at all), whatever network you’re on. But that might not be the case for long for O2 customers in London, as the network has revealed that its 5G coverage now reaches 64% of the city’s population.
This has been achieved through recent upgrades, with O2 specifically noting the roll out of its low frequency 700MHz spectrum, acquired at the second 5G spectrum auction in 2021.
Being low frequency, this band carries mobile signals further than the frequencies mostly used by 5G, which is handy, but it’s worth noting that data rates on low frequency spectrum are usually lower too.
In any case, O2 claims that London now has one of the largest 5G footprints within its network, which makes sense, since being so densely populated it’s an obvious place to focus on.
One place of many
But it’s not the only area that O2 is paying attention to, with the network also highlighting that it’s committed to bringing 5G to 50% of the UK population before the end of 2023. It seems to be making good progress too, with more than 2,000 5G sites having been switched on in the last year, covering 300 cities and towns.
In a statement, Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2 highlighted the company’s approach, saying: “We are taking a customer-centric approach to our mobile network strategy, which centres on optimising our network where our customers need them most. This means focusing on densifying our coverage where our customers are going to feel the most benefit, such as busy urban cities like London, while also investing to extend coverage in less populated areas.”
The company also aims to provide Londoners with the best connectivity at home, allowing them to sign up for a Volt package which combines an O2 SIM card with lightning-fast Virgin Media home broadband on one plan.
Note however that despite Virgin Media now owning O2 and therefore enabling these sorts of combo packages, Virgin Mobile itself offers 5G through Vodafone confusingly – though we’d expect a switch to O2 eventually.
Not that Virgin Mobile (and Vodafone) customers are missing out, as that network also offers rapidly growing 5G coverage. As, for that matter, do EE and Three.
