Big mobile network upgrades coming to Ipswich and across Suffolk
Key Points
- O2 has switched on its 5G+ standalone network across Suffolk, including Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Felixstowe.
- More than 760,000 residents across 434 towns and villages can now access faster speeds, better coverage and lower latency at no extra cost.
- The rollout is part of Virgin Media O2's £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, with a further upgrade due in 2026.
- Customers need a compatible device, plan and up-to-date SIM, and some may need to switch to an eSIM.
O2 has switched on its next-generation 5G+ network across Suffolk, giving more than 760,000 residents access to faster mobile speeds at no extra cost.
The upgraded service is now live in towns including Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Felixstowe, Lowestoft, Haverhill, Sudbury and Newmarket.
O2 said the rollout covers 434 towns and villages across the county, with the 5G+ standalone network delivering faster speeds, improved reliability and lower latency.
Customers can access the upgrade at no additional charge, provided they have a compatible device and plan and an up-to-date SIM. O2 said some customers may need to switch to a digital eSIM to use the service.
The 5G+ network is O2’s most advanced to date and uses dedicated 5G infrastructure rather than relying on 4G technology, which the operator said allows for faster speeds, lower latency and greater reliability.
O2 described it as the UK’s largest 5G standalone network, available to more than 85% of the population.
The Suffolk switch-on forms part of Virgin Media O2’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, which the company said will deliver another major network upgrade in 2026. The investment covers new masts, small cells, 4G and 5G upgrades, automation and new spectrum deployment to improve reliability, capacity and coverage across the UK.
O2 said the upgrade would support key parts of Suffolk’s economy, including logistics and supply chain operations around the Port of Felixstowe, agricultural businesses needing real-time data in the field, and tourism operators serving visitors to the county.
The network also covers coastal communities and rural villages where connectivity has historically been weaker.
Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said the new network was now live in Suffolk and was creating new opportunities in and around the county.
“Combined with investment as part of our Mobile Transformation Plan, we’re improving our mobile network every day to deliver a faster, more reliable experience for customers, futureproof connectivity and pave the way for future innovations,” he said.
The operator has also recently launched O2 Satellite, which is bringing mobile coverage to remote locations that have previously had no phone signal.
