O2 unveils a major free speed upgrade for millions of customers – check your phone
O2 has enabled a mega mobile upgrade that makes connection speeds even faster.
The network operator has activated its ‘5G Standalone’ in 14 cities across the UK.
And it will be available to millions of customers at no additional cost.
5G Standalone is the fastest network technology available, meaning apps and videos load much faster with improved latency.
This new technology will make our mobile network future-proof in the coming years
Jeanie York
When you’re connected to 5G Standalone, you’re essentially receiving the truest form of 5G available.
Currently, most of the 5G you see is actually non-standalone, which is 4G technology mixed with 5G upgrades, meaning connections don’t work at full speed.
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The move makes Virgin Media O2 the second major UK mobile operator after Vodafone to activate a commercial 5G Standalone service, said ISPreview.
However, it only works if you have a compatible smartphone that supports 5G Standalone.
You also need the latest SIM card, also called an R15 SIM card.
You can check and request a new one from your network provider.
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The phones that currently work with 5G Standalone are:
- Samsung S24
- Samsung S24+
- Samsung S24Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S23FE
- Samsung Galaxy S23+
- Samsung Galaxy S23Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S22
- Samsung Galaxy S22+
- Samsung Galaxy S22Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Sony Xperia 1 V
- Sony Xperia 5 V
- Samsung Galaxy S23
- Netgear M6
- Samsung A25
“The launch of 5G Standalone is the culmination of a multi-year program and is a real leap forward in the evolution of our mobile network,” said Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2.
“Although it is still early days, our customer-centric rollout will continue into 2024, with some consumer customers seeing immediate benefits including increased reliability and coverage.
“This new technology will future-proof our mobile network for years to come and pave the way for exciting, customer-centric innovations in the future.”
5G Standalone is now available in the following cities:
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- London
- Lincoln
- Birmingham
- Sheffield
- Glasgow
- Newcastle
- Leeds
- York
- Belfast
- Cardiff
- Nottingham
- Slough
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