- O2 has switched on its next-generation 5G+ Standalone network in 14 large towns and cities, 16 smaller towns and 252 rural villages across East Sussex, including Brighton & Hove, as part of its UK-wide rollout
- Residents and businesses across the region can now enjoy faster speeds, improved coverage and reduced latency, at no extra cost
- The rollout forms part of Virgin Media O2’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, boosting reliability, capacity and coverage across the UK
People and businesses across East Sussex, including Brighton & Hove, can now access O2’s most advanced mobile network yet, following the switch-on of its next-generation 5G+ service.
More than 830,000 residents in key East Sussex towns and cities including Brighton & Hove, Peacehaven, Hastings, Eastbourne, Lewes, Seaford and Rye, will now benefit from the next-generation network, which delivers faster speeds, better reliability and lower latency, helping to support customers living their everyday lives.
With 5G+ coverage now live across East Sussex, it is now better equipped to meet the consistently high, unique demand on its mobile networks. Fast, reliable connectivity is especially important for the city of Brighton & Hove, as a vibrant hub for the UK’s creative and digital industries, with thousands of people working across the city’s digital, media and technology-led sectors. The city’s well-established tourism economy also places high demands on mobile connectivity year-round, with nearly 12 million visitors contributing around £1.3 billion to the local economy each year.
O2’s 5G+ network is the largest network in the UK and is available to customers with compatible devices at no extra cost. Unlike earlier versions of 5G, which relied on existing 4G technology, O2’s 5G+ service uses new infrastructure to deliver a stronger, more resilient mobile experience.
These upgrades form part of Virgin Media O2’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, which will deliver another major upgrade to the company’s mobile network in 2026. The investment will enhance reliability, capacity and coverage across the UK through new masts, small cells, 4G and 5G upgrades, automation and new spectrum deployment.
Customers across Britain, including in rural Sussex, are also benefitting from the recent launch of O2 Satellite, which allows smartphones to connect directly to satellites when in remote locations that have traditionally had no phone signal for the first time, helping tackle long-standing connectivity gaps in rural communities.
Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said: “Our new 5G+ network is now live across East Sussex, including Brighton & Hove, providing an impressive upgrade for local people and businesses and creating new opportunities in and around the region. We are investing every single day to improve our mobile network and provide a more reliable experience for our customers, futureproofing our connectivity and paving the way for exciting innovations that lie ahead.”
Boosting coverage for customers
Virgin Media O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan helped the operator become Europe’s most improved mobile network last year, according to independent benchmarking by Umlaut Connect. It was also awarded Best Mobile Network Coverage at the Uswitch Telecoms Awards for the second year in a row, which recognised the scale, reach and reliability of its mobile network.
Customers can access 5G+ with a compatible device and plan, and by ensuring their SIM is up to date. Some customers may need to switch to a digital eSIM. Full details available on the O2 website here: https://www.o2.co.uk/5g-plus
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