O2 5G Rollout
UK (National) · 2019-Ongoing (5G SA rollout in 2024 and 2026) · £700m (investment in 2026 for network improvements) [66, 67]
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchSignificant annual investment in mobile network improvements as part of a Mobile Transformation Plan [66, 67]. - Focus on 5G Standalone (SA) for enhanced performance and next-generation services [69]. - Aim to cover 99% of the UK population with 4G, and expanding 5G coverage [70].
Key engineering challenges
Expanding 5G Standalone (SA) network to more towns and cities throughout the UK [69]. - Improving coverage and performance across the UK, including hard-to-reach rural areas [66, 70]. - Ensuring network resilience and reliability with continuous investment [67].
Project facts
- Client / owner
- O2 (part of Virgin Media O2)
- Lead contractor
- O2 (in-house teams and technology partners)
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build; upgrade
- Scale
- Over 85% of the UK population covered by 5G, 5G Standalone (SA) expanded to over 500 locations across the UK [68, 69]
- Disciplines
- Telecommunications engineering; radio frequency engineering; network engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- 3GPP standards for 5G, Ofcom regulations.
Sources: [66] Virgin Media O2 Newsroom. O2 doubles down on mobile network improvements in 2026 with £700m investment. https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk/o2-doubles-down-on-mobile-network-improvements-in-2026-with-700m-investment/ (Accessed: 2026-06-10). [67] O2. Our network improvements. https://www.o2.co.uk/connectivity/network-improvements (Accessed: 2026-06-10). [68] O2. Discover 5G Technology | The Latest Network Generation. https://www.o2.co.uk/5g (Accessed: 2026-06-10). [69] RCR Wireless. Virgin Media O2 reaches over 500 UK sites with 5G SA. https://www.rcrwireless.com/20260130/5g/virgin-media-o2-2 (Accessed: 2026-06-10). [70] Tesco Mobile. 5G - Powered by O2's network. https://www.tescomobile.com/why-tesco-mobile/5g-powered-by-o2-network (Accessed: 2026-06-10).