Virgin Media O2 invests in new 5G high-speed airwaves to boost mobile network for future
Virgin Media O2 has taken a major step forward in enhancing mobile connectivity across the UK, investing £13 million in new high-capacity mmWave 5G spectrum following Ofcom’s latest auction.
This strategic acquisition includes 800MHz of 26GHz and 1,000MHz of 40GHz spectrum, positioning Virgin Media O2 to deliver ultra-fast, reliable mobile performance in densely populated areas such as train stations, airports, stadiums, and business hubs like factories and ports.
What This Means for Customers
With the UK’s largest 5G Standalone footprint, Virgin Media O2 is already leading the way in next-generation mobile technology. This new spectrum will:
- Boost speeds and reliability in high-demand locations
- Support data-intensive applications and private 5G networks
- Enable future innovations in connectivity and smart infrastructure
In fact, Virgin Media O2 recently broke a mobile speed record, achieving 4Gbps on a single device during real-world testing of the mmWave spectrum.
A Future-Proof Network Strategy
This investment is part of Virgin Media O2’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan for 2025, which includes:
- Expanding 4G and 5G coverage
- Rolling out small cells to increase capacity in urban areas
- Launching innovative solutions to tackle network challenges in key locations
One standout achievement is the launch of the UK’s first mobile ‘Giga Site’ in Paddington, combining low, mid, and high-band spectrum with Massive MIMO antenna technology to deliver over 10Gbps throughput per site.
CEO Perspective
Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, commented:
“This new investment in high-speed, high-capacity mobile airwaves is a strong result from the auction and pairs perfectly with our strategy to transform our mobile network. We’ve already broken the speed barrier through tests of these airwaves, and we’ll be ready to deploy our new spectrum at the right moment so our customers can benefit as soon as possible.”
Credits to Virgin Media O2