Get 5G ready with our 5th Generation devices and sims
5G available in selected areas. 5G device, sim and tariff required to access 5G.
Welcome to the 5th Generation of Music
An extraordinary new way to experience live music, with gigs in stunning virtual reality.
Don’t just watch it, live it. Cinematic sound, incredible detail, and ‘jump spot’ technology that lets you move around the venue, will transport you to amazing performances around the world. From epic arena shows with global superstars, to intimate studio sessions by breakout artists, you’ll be right at the heart of the action.
Get an Oculus Go virtual reality headset and a 12-month subscription to MelodyVR when you buy a 5G phone on selected 5G tariffs. See terms.
5G vs 4G
5G delivers faster speeds than 4G, a lower latency and improved capacity and reliability.
Faster speeds
Much, much quicker than 4G, which means you’ll be able to do everything you do now, but faster. Download a full movie as you run for a train. Enjoy perfect video calling when you’re out and about. And easily upload and email big files, while you work on the go.
Lower latency
Lower latency (the time it takes for a network to respond) is going to be a game changer for highly sensitive jobs that involve minute inputs and real-time feedback. Things like remote surgery, a critical video conference or being the last one standing in a battle royale.
In the future 5G will have the bandwidth to comfortably handle augmented and virtual reality, giving workers the chance to train in real-life situations without putting themselves in danger, or use a VR headset to receive real-time instructions. Away from work you could use VR to watch a gig as though you’re in the front row, or see a try being scored through someone else’s eyes.
Better network capacity
5G is perfect for when you’re at a packed concert at an O2 Academy, watching a game at Twickenham or when working remotely. It’s designed so that thousands of people can stand in the same place and upload and download as much as they like.
While 5G is being rolled out across the UK, 4G will keep getting better, as we continue to spend £2 million a day on our network.
And adding 5G to our already award winning network will help us deliver higher speeds, increased reliability and improve capacity where our customers need it most.
5G FAQs
- Where is 5G available?
O2 5G is live in areas of Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Slough.
By the end of 2019 we're planning to bring our 5G network to 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. We’re currently busy planning our 5G rollout in the following:
Aberdeen Kingston Plymouth Bradford Liverpool Portsmouth Brighton Luton Sheffield Birkenhead Manchester Southampton Birmingham Milton Keynes Sunderland Cambridge Newbury Warrington Glasgow Newcastle Wolverhampton Hove Northampton - How do I get 5G?
You'll need a 5G phone, a 5G sim, a 5G tariff and be in a 5G coverage area – you’ll soon be able to use our coverage checker to see when you’ll get 5G in your area. See our 5G phones.
Take a look at our 5G setup page, for information on how to get 5G.
If you’re on an O2 Custom plan, you’ll be able to upgrade to a 5G phone when the time’s right for you. View our latest pay monthly tariff terms for more information.
- What devices is 5G available on?
We have a range of 5G phones available. Take a look at our shop to see more. We’ll also have a number of tariffs suitable for business customers when they choose to upgrade to 5G. Find out more about 5G and your business.
We currently range the following 5G devices:
- What is the difference between 4G and 5G?
5G is the next generation of mobile networks, providing faster download speeds and coverage when lots of people are using the network at the same time. 5G will improve the service you get with 4G, making it easier for you to stay connected when it matters most.
- 5G and My Health
We’re excited about the benefits that our 5G network will bring for customer and business, but we understand there are some questions being asked about the impact on our health.
The WHO and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommend that governments adopt the radio-frequency exposure limits developed by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
In the UK, the Government has adopted these exposure limits developed by ICNIRP and mobile network operators are required to operate within these guidelines.
If you want to know more you can visit the NHS, World Health Organization or Mobile UK.
Unlimited data available on selected handsets and selected SIM Only tariffs. Fair use policy applies, personal and non-commercial usage only. EU roaming capped at 20GB per month, chargeable at 0.4p per MB afterwards. For full terms see o2.co.uk/terms.
Upgrade: O2 Refresh customers can pay off their Device Plan at any time and upgrade to a new tariff.