£2 million. That’s how much we invest in our network every single day, using cutting-edge technology to keep all our customers connected whenever they need it.
With an ever-increasing demand for data as people want to stay connected no matter where they are – whether that’s with family and friends or with the latest sporting events – we know the importance of having a reliable connection. Read on to find out how we’re helping O2 customers do just that.
Connecting more of the UK
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As part of the government’s Shared Rural Network campaign, we have brought reliable 4G coverage to more than 220 rural communities around the UK. So, whether you live in the countryside or you’re just visiting, you’ll be able to stay connected.
But we don’t play favourites. Our customers in urban areas are benefiting from this investment too, with signal boosts from small cells – smart bits of radio infrastructure discreetly positioned on streets around 35 local authorities from Bournemouth to Skegness. And more locations will be added before the end of 2024, including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol and Swansea.
Covering your favourite outdoor events
Portable cells on wheels may not sound exciting, but these are the bits of kit that help maintain a tip-top signal when you’re at a sporting event or music festival, allowing you to upload your best pictures without a hitch. In 2024, they provided coverage at the F1 British Grand Prix, Wimbledon and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
And for the first time, they were powered by environmentally friendly hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), saving 300 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is around the same as the annual energy use of more than 530 homes.
But the best thing about cells on wheels? They’re known as COWs – so you can literally Instagram your pics until the COWs come home.
Travelling with you
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On the move? If you’re driving, you might be concerned about losing access to Google Maps. If you’re on public transport, you might think your phone won’t be much use beyond browsing through last night’s photos to pass the time. Well, we’ve got good news. We’ve rolled out significant improvements along the M5, M11 and M60 motorways, with more main routes to follow in the coming months. We’ve enhanced connectivity at some of the UK’s busiest railway stations, including Manchester Piccadilly and London’s Fenchurch Street.
And our customers can now access O2 mobile coverage across most of the London Underground – in fact, a whopping 80% of the TFL network (including tunnels) will be connected by the end of 2025.
Investing in the future
In February 2024, we launched the next generation of our 5G network. It’s called 5G Standalone, and it represents a complete overhaul of our 5G network – giving more people speedy uploads and downloads, as well as paving the way for future tech advancements.
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Published: 11 November 2024