- O2 has switched on its next-generation 5G+ network across Kent, including Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Canterbury
- Up to 1.6 million residents across 125 towns, 303 villages and 246 hamlets could now benefit from faster speeds, better coverage and lower latency at no extra cost
- The rollout forms part of O2’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, boosting reliability, capacity and coverage across the UK
People and businesses across Kent, including in Canterbury, Dover, Tonbridge, Faversham, Folkestone, Maidstone and Sevenoaks, can now access O2’s most advanced mobile network yet, following the switch-on of its next-generation 5G+ service.
Up to 1.6 million residents across Kent’s towns, villages and rural areas could now benefit from O2’s upgraded network, which delivers faster speeds, greater reliability and reduced latency to support everything from streaming and video calls to everyday browsing and navigation.
Kent welcomes millions of visitors and tourists each year and is home to thriving commuter towns like Maidstone and Sevenoaks. More reliable mobile connectivity helps people stay connected whether they’re travelling, working or exploring the county.
As the UK’s gateway to Europe, Kent has some of the country’s busiest transport routes, including the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel and international rail services. By strengthening mobile connectivity across the county, O2 is helping millions of residents, commuters and travellers who rely on these connections every day.
O2 continues to invest in expanding its 5G+ network
O2’s 5G+ network 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 is delivering another major upgrade to the company’s mobile network throughout this year. 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.
Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said: “Our upgraded 5G+ network is now available across Kent, a county with a huge variety of connectivity needs. On any given day, our network supports residents going about their daily lives, holidaymakers exploring the county’s attractions and people travelling to and from mainland Europe.
“That’s why we’re continuing to invest in our 5G+ network through our Mobile Transformation Plan. By delivering faster, more reliable mobile connectivity to more places in Kent, we’re helping our customers stay connected today while building the network they’ll rely on in the years ahead.”
David Wimble, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, said: “We are pleased to see continued investment in digital infrastructure across Kent.
“Good mobile connectivity has become an essential part of everyday life and the further enhancement of O2’s network across urban and rural areas in the county is a positive step.
“We hope this will help bring better mobile coverage and faster, more reliable connections to the places where people need them most.”
O2’s network has been crowned best network for coverage
Virgin Media O2 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.
Customers can benefit at no extra charge
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 are available on the O2 website here: https://www.o2.co.uk/5g-plus
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