O2 turns on 5G in 13 more cities

O2 today turned on 5G in another 13 towns and cities across the UK.

The company, which first launched 5G in October, has now expanded its network to cover customers in Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bradford, Sheffield, Coventry, Nottingham, Norwich, Bristol, Derby and Stoke.

The expansion takes the firm’s network to a total of 20 locations across the UK over the year.

In October, O2 launched the 5G service in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Leeds and Slough, before switching on 5G hotspots in Leicester and Lisburn a month later.

Derek McManus, chief operating officer of O2 parent company Telefonica UK, said:

‘We were incredibly proud to switch on our 5G network in October, and it is brilliant to hit our target of 20 towns and cities connected to our next-generation network as we head into 2020.
‘I believe 5G is going to revolutionise the way people and businesses use mobile connectivity, unlocking huge possibilities for our economy and society.
‘We’re excited about getting it into the hands of our customers across the UK and continuing to work with our partners to help shape the future of 5G for the next generation.’

The company added that customers in Windsor, Eton, Reading, Blackpool, Bournemouth, and Guildford are lined up as the next to be connected to O2’s 5G network.

The operator said it plans to reach 50 locations across the UK by summer 2020 and is investing more than £2 million a day into expanding its network.

By summer 2020, O2 is planning on network rollout to the following additional towns and cities.