Virgin Media O2 has expanded its next-generation 5G Standalone (5G SA) network to support business customers across the UK. The rollout now covers 500 towns and cities, benefiting large enterprises, public sector organisations, and small to medium-sized businesses on eligible plans.
With this expansion, Virgin Media O2 now provides 5G coverage to over 75% of the UK population. The new 5G SA network is designed to support cutting-edge applications such as autonomous transport, remote healthcare, and robotics. It also enables network slicing, which allows businesses to access dedicated, high-performance connectivity for specific needs.
Unlike previous mobile networks, 5G SA operates independently of older generations, relying solely on a cloud-based 5G core. This upgrade boosts network capacity, reduces latency, and enhances connectivity for a growing number of devices.
Jo Bertram, Managing Director of Business and Wholesale at Virgin Media O2, emphasised the significance of this launch: “The switch-on of our next-generation 5G Standalone network will make reliable, fast, on-demand connectivity a reality for our business customers. For the UK to fully benefit from AI and the latest technological advancements, high-quality network infrastructure is essential.”
Last November, Virgin Media O2 became the first UK operator to activate 5G SA small cells, improving mobile connectivity by using existing street infrastructure in high-demand areas like Birmingham. The rollout features contributions from Ontix and Alpha Wireless, leveraging the latest Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology to enhance network performance.
With this expansion, Virgin Media O2 is setting the foundation for future innovations, including private networks and advanced network slicing, ensuring businesses have the connectivity they need both today and in the future.
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