O2 rolls out faster 5G+ mobile network to Oxfordshire
Key Points
- O2 has rolled out its 5G+ standalone network to Oxfordshire, bringing faster speeds and more reliable connectivity to 495 towns, villages, and hamlets in the region.
- Regions now connected to 5G+ include Oxford, Banbury, Abingdon, Bicester, Witney, Didcot, Carterton, Kidlington, Henley-on-Thames, Thame, Wantage, and Farringdon.
- The 5G+ network is O2's standalone 5G deployment, which uses dedicated core infrastructure instead of relying on an older 4G backbone to connect customers.
- This rollout is part of Virgin Media O2's £700-million investment into upgrading its network, which will see another major upgrade delivered in 2026.
O2 has switched on its next-generation 5G+ mobile network in Oxfordshire, bringing faster and more reliable connectivity to 495 towns, villages, and hamlets in the region.
The mobile operator announced the rollout on Thursday 16 July, stating that people and businesses in places including Oxford, Bicester, Witney, and Henley-on-Thames would not be able to access faster speeds, better reliability, and reduced latency through its 5G+ network.
The operator said that the rollout of its upgraded network would help support the region’s universities and its science, technology, and research sectors, while also supporting the network during the busy summer months, when the region receives many visitors.
Following this rollout, O2’s 5G+ network now serves more than 85% of the UK population. All cities, towns, and villages included in the rollout of this programme have at least 90% standalone outdoor coverage.
Customers can access O2’s 5G+ network at no extra cost, provided they have a compatible device and plan, and their SIM is up to date. Some O2 customers may need to switch to a digital eSIM to connect to the standalone network.
The 5G+ network uses dedicated 5G infrastructure rather than relying on older core technology. It is O2’s implementation of standalone 5G, which provides greatly improved latency and connection reliability by using dedicated 5G core infrastructure instead of the existing technology used for older 4G networks.
Standalone 5G networks not only deliver better speeds and latencies, but also unlock capabilities such as network slicing, which can reserve bands of spectrum for specific uses such as emergency communications, and network steering, which can help direct users’ handsets towards the best connection type based on their location and usage.
The rollout of O2’s standalone 5G+ network is part of Virgin Media O2’s £700-million investment into transforming its mobile network, which it said will deliver another major upgrade to the O2 network this year.
It said this investment will enhance reliability, capacity and coverage across the UK through new masts, small cells, 4G and 5G upgrades, automation, and the deployment of new spectrum.
“Our upgraded 5G+ network is now available across Oxfordshire, bringing faster, more reliable connectivity to one of the UK’s leading centres for innovation, education and tourism,” said Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2 Professor Robert Joyce.
“Whether exploring the county’s historic attractions, commuting between towns or working within Oxfordshire’s science and technology sector, people rely on mobile connectivity more than ever.”
“Through our Mobile Transformation Plan, we’re continuing to invest in our network to deliver a better experience for customers, while building the digital infrastructure needed to support future innovation,” he said.
