Everything you need to know about O2’s 5G+ rollout in Northern Ireland: Coverage, availability and how to access

Key facts about O2’s 5G+ upgrade for Northern Ireland 

O2 has turned on 5G+ (5G standalone) across Northern Ireland, where up to 800,000 people across five cities, 22 large towns and 382 smaller towns, villages and hamlets can now access the service. This includes major cities such as Belfast and Lisburn as well as coastal towns like Newcastle and Portrush.  

O2 5G+ is available at no extra cost to eligible O2 Pay Monthly customers with a compatible device and SIM. 

O2 5G+ is O2’s standalone 5G network, delivering lower latency, greater capacity and improved reliability than previous mobile network technologies. 

Where is 5G+ (5G standalone) available in Northern Ireland? 

Five cities, 22 large towns and 382 smaller towns, villages and hamlets across Northern Ireland now have access to O2’s 5G+ network, including the following locations: 

• Belfast 

• Derry 

• Lisburn 

• Newry 

• Armagh 

• Newtownabbey 

• Bangor 

• Lurgan 

• Ballymena 

• Carrickfergus 

• Newtownards 

• Portadown 

• Coleraine 

• Antrim 

• Omagh 

• Larne 

• Banbridge 

• Dungannon 

• Enniskillen 

• Strabane 

Each location benefits from at least 90% outdoor 5G+ coverage, helping customers stay connected whether they’re travelling across Northern Ireland, visiting family and friends or enjoying its cities, coastline and countryside. 

What is O2 5G+? 

O2 5G+ is O2’s 5G Standalone mobile network. Unlike non-standalone 5G networks, which continue to rely partly on 4G infrastructure, 5G Standalone uses dedicated 5G core technology to deliver lower latency, higher capacity and improved reliability. 

Why is 5G+ better? 

O2 5G+ enables:  

• Lower latency, meaning faster response times for apps and services. 

• Greater capacity, allowing more devices to connect simultaneously without performance drops. 

• Improved reliability, particularly in busy or densely populated areas. 

These benefits are most noticeable in busy city centres such as Belfast and Derry, popular tourist destinations including the Causeway Coast, and high-footfall locations such as transport hubs, shopping centres, stadiums and major events, where fast, reliable connectivity matters most. 

How else is O2 investing in Northern Ireland? 

The Northern Ireland upgrade forms part of O2’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, which is upgrading mobile infrastructure across the UK through new masts, additional spectrum, network automation and improvements to both 4G and 5G services. 

What are the benefits of 5G+ for me or my business? 

For residents, 5G+ improves everyday mobile experiences: 

• Smoother video calls and streaming 

• Faster download and upload speeds 

• More reliable connections in busy places 

• Better performance for gaming, navigation and cloud-based apps 

For businesses, the rollout supports:  

• Reliable connectivity for hybrid working and mobile workforces 

• Improved access to cloud platforms and data-heavy applications  

• Stronger digital infrastructure for innovation and collaboration 

Can I use 5G+ when visiting Northern Ireland? 

Yes. O2 Pay Monthly customers with a compatible device and SIM can access 5G+ wherever coverage is available. 

Does O2 5G+ cost extra?  

No. O2 5G+ is available at no additional cost for Pay Monthly customers with a compatible device and SIM. 

What do I need to access O2 5G+? 

To use O2 5G+, you will need: 

• A compatible 5G+ device 

• An O2 Pay Monthly plan 

• A compatible SIM 

• To be within a 5G+ coverage area 

Do I need a new SIM for O2 5G+? 

Some customers may require an updated SIM or eSIM to access 5G+. You can check your requirements on the O2 website. 

How can I check if 5G+ is available where I live? 

You can check local coverage, compatible devices and plan requirements by visiting: https://www.o2.co.uk/5g-plus  

Which places in Northern Ireland have O2 5G+?