Near or Far, Our Network Is With You

By Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer

Earlier this year, we announced a Mobile Transformation Plan to supercharge the reliability of our network and give customers across the UK a consistent and reliable service. 

Five months on, our customers are feeling the benefits. From out-of-town stadiums to holiday hotspots and congested city centres, the £2 million we’re investing every day is making a meaningful difference across the country.  

Our invisible mobile waves are enabling human connection and have been brilliantly brought to life in our new ‘Near or Far’ campaign.  

The film tells a powerful everyday story. A daughter calls her father to share life-changing news that she’s landed her dream job as a teacher. He’s in a remote part of Wales, yet the moment is crystal-clear, uninterrupted and shows their deep human connection. That’s the magic of our network. Whether you’re near or far, we’re with you. 

But this isn’t just a story: It’s encapsulates the extensive work that’s been happening behind the scenes to make moments like this possible. This investment is already making a difference, and we’ve had a busy few months: 

• We’ve recently announced a major investment to acquire 78.8 MHz of new spectrum to boost our mobile network capacity and performance. This will materially enhance our network and bring our share of total spectrum holdings to approximately 30% of UK mobile spectrum, ensuring we’re ready for the future. 

• We’ve brought 5G to the Allianz Stadium and upgraded the network around Wembley and the Stadium of Light, giving fans a faster, more immersive matchday experience. 

• Supporting customers as we switch off the old 3G network, with work complete in many locations, allowing us to focus on delivering faster 4G and 5G connectivity 

• We’re upgrading mobile coverage at more than 20 Haven holiday parks, so families can stay connected even while they’re getting away from it all during the peak holiday season. 

• And in Cornwall, Devon and beyond we’ve deployed dozens of small cells to improve mobile connectivity in busy tourist destinations and city centre locations. 

These aren’t just technical upgrades, they are the enablers of our customers’ lives. From downloading tickets to sharing good news with loved ones, our network is there in the background, quietly powering the moments that matter most to our customers. And every day, we’re working to make our services the best they can be. 

As our latest campaign shows, our network is essential for living. We take that responsibility seriously. So while we’re proud of what we’ve achieved, we’re even more excited about what’s next.