O2 has announced that they will be switching on their 5G network in October 2019, beginning with areas of Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Slough and Leeds. By the end of the year, they’ll be live in 20 towns and cities and rolling out to a total of 50 by summer 2020.
O2 will not be using Huawei equipment in their 5G network, opting to go with Ericsson and Nokia.
For customers who want to get 5G ready ahead of launch, the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G will be available to purchase from Thursday 8 August with the Xiaomi Mix 3 5G coming later in August.
The company say that further devices will be rolled out ready for launch. Following the launch of 5G in October, both consumer and business customers will be able to select a 5G tariff that suits them.
O2 say that they are targeting its 5G rollout where customers need it most, prioritising transport hubs, key business areas and entertainment and sports venues including The O2 and Twickenham Stadium.
To make sure you get 5G where you need it most, we’ll be targeting transport hubs, key business areas and entertainment and sports venues, including The O2 and Twickenham Stadium.
We’ll also be working with major UK businesses including Network Rail and Northumbrian Water Group to help build the 5G economy.
Telefonica has signed network sharing agreements in Brazil, Germany and the UK. The UK deal, an upgraded agreement with Vodafone, will see the pair share some 5G infrastructure and is expected to speed rollout of the new network technology.
O2 UK CEO Mark Evans said:
“5G is going to be a game changer for our country. Whether it’s for people or businesses, the power of this next-generation network is going to unlock a world of possibilities for our economy and society.
“As we switch on our network across the country, our intelligence-led roll-out prioritises the key areas in towns and cities first – the places where our customers need, and will use, 5G the most. We’re also giving our customers maximum flexibility with our industry-leading custom plans, letting people adopt 5G at a time that’s right for them.”
By the end of 2019 O2 5G will be live in areas of the following 20 towns and cities:
| Belfast | Coventry | Leeds | Nottingham |
| Blackpool | Derby | Leicester | Reading |
| Bournemouth | Edinburgh | Lisburn | Slough |
| Bristol | Eton | London | Stoke |
| Cardiff | Guildford | Norwich | Windsor |
By summer 2020, O2 is planning on network rollout in an additional 30 towns and cities – reaching 50 in total.
| Aberdeen | Kingston | Plymouth |
| Bradford | Liverpool | Portsmouth |
| Brighton | Luton | Sheffield |
| Birkenhead | Manchester | Southampton |
| Birmingham | Milton Keynes | Sunderland |
| Cambridge | Newbury | Warrington |
| Glasgow | Newcastle | Wolverhampton |
| Hove | Northampton |
