O2 brings next-generation 5G+ connectivity to communities across Wales as part of a nationwide network transformation

• O2 has switched on its next-generation 5G+ network across nine large towns and cities, 18 smaller towns, and 133 villages in Wales as part of its UK-wide rollout
• More than 800,000 residents and businesses can now benefit from faster speeds, better coverage and lower latency at no extra cost
• Customers in Wales can also benefit from O2 Satellite after the operator became the only UK network to offer satellite-to-mobile connectivity connecting remote locations for the first time
• The rollout forms part of O2’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan which is boosting reliability, capacity and coverage across the UK

People and businesses across Wales can now access O2’s most advanced mobile network yet, after the operator switched on its next-generation 5G+ service across nine large towns and cities, 18 smaller towns, and 133 villages and rural communities.

More than 800,000 residents can benefit from the next-generation network, which delivers faster speeds, better reliability and lower latency at no extra cost, helping to support customers living their everyday lives.

The 5G+ rollout will benefit communities across Wales, including in cities such as Cardiff and Newport as well as towns, villages and rural communities across Monmouthshire, the Vale of Glamorgan, Gwynedd and surrounding areas.

Wales rugged landscapes have traditionally made delivering reliable, high-speed connectivity more complex. By expanding 5G+ coverage, O2 is helping to ensure that people and businesses across Wales can stay connected, wherever they live and work.

O2 offers the UK’s largest 5G standalone network

O2’s 5G+ network is the UK’s largest 5G standalone network 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 “standalone” infrastructure to deliver faster speeds and lower latency mobile services.

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.

O2’s network has been crowned best network for coverage

Virgin Media O2’s was named Europe’s most improved mobile network by independent benchmarking firm Umlaut Connect in 2025, reflecting significant gains in reliability, coverage and performance. The company was also awarded Best Mobile Network Coverage at the Uswitch Telecoms Awards for the second year running.

This follows a series of upgrades to rural connectivity through the Shared Rural Network programme, which is expanding reliable coverage across traditional signal not-spots.

Customers in Wales can also benefit 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. The operator is the only UK mobile network provider to offer satellite-to-mobile connectivity, helping tackle long-standing connectivity gaps in rural areas across Wales and beyond.

Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said: “This is a significant step forward for mobile connectivity in Wales. We’re expanding 5G+ across cities like Cardiff and Newport as well as towns, villages and rural communities right across the country, bringing faster speeds, lower latency and a more reliable experience to more than 800,000 people.

“Backed by our tidy £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan and cracking innovations like O2 Satellite, we’re not just upgrading the network, we’re extending high-quality coverage into parts of Wales that have historically been harder to reach.”

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

Notes to Editors:

All towns and cities included in Virgin Media O2’s 5G+ programme rollout have at least 90% outdoor 5G+ coverage.

O2’s rollout across Wales includes: Cardiff, Newport, Barry, Barry Island, Cwmbran, Penarth, Risca, Chepstow, Caldicot, Monmouth, Llantwit Major, Caerleon, Dinas Powis, Radyr, Magor, Rhoose, Sully, Roglet, Tongqynlais, St Athan, Pen-y-Rheol, Thornhill, Whitchurch, and Morganstown.

Local population statistics are according to the latest data held by the ONS here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/explore-local-statistics/areas/W92000004-wales

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