23 February 2024
Virgin Media O2 has announced the switch on of its 5G Standalone (5G SA) network in 14 cities across the UK.
The new network will be available to consumers with 5G Standalone compatible SIMs and devices at no extra cost and customers will seamlessly switch between 4G, 5G or 5G Standalone to ensure they experience the best connectivity wherever they are.
Unlike existing 5G services which have relied on parts of the 4G network to send and receive data, Virgin Media O2’s 5G SA network is a completely new network built using the newest future-proofed radio infrastructure and a totally cloud-based core.
5G SA will increase network capacity, cut latency, and support a massive increase in the number of connected devices. This will unlock many of the innovative use cases associated with 5G, including autonomous transport solutions, remote healthcare, and fully robotic factories. It will also enable network slicing and pave the way for Virgin Media O2 to offer dedicated services for things like augmented reality, gaming, advanced robotics, and other business use cases.
“The launch of 5G Standalone is the culmination of a multi-year programme and is a real leap forward in the evolution of our mobile network. While it’s still early days, our customer-centric rollout will continue throughout 2024 with some consumer customers seeing the immediate benefits including increased reliability and coverage. This new technology will future proof our mobile network for years to come and paves the way for exciting customer led innovations in the future,” said Jeanie York, chief technology officer at Virgin Media O2.
