The Rollout
O2 has activated its next-generation 5G+ service across Belfast, Derry, Lisburn, Armagh and 400 other towns and villages in Northern Ireland. The upgrade forms part of the operator’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan and gives compatible customers access to the UK’s largest 5G standalone network without any price increase.
Who Gains
More than 800,000 residents in the six counties now sit inside areas with at least 90 % outdoor 5G+ coverage. Everyday use such as video calls, streaming and navigation should feel snappier thanks to lower latency, while businesses in places like Portrush and Ballycastle gain better reliability for mobile working.
Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said: “This upgrade marks another major milestone in the evolution of our network. By extending 5G+ coverage across all six counties of Northern Ireland, we’re enabling more people to benefit from faster speeds, lower latency and a more reliable mobile experience.”
We covered a similar O2 5G+ switch-on in Kent last month, showing the operator is steadily widening the same technology across the UK.
What You Need to Do
You’ll need a 5G+ compatible handset and an up-to-date SIM or eSIM. Full details sit on O2’s site. If you’re out of contract or want to compare fresh mobile deals that include the new network, head over to our mobile phones section.
O2 also picked up Best Mobile Network Coverage at the Uswitch Telecoms Awards for the second year running, so the infrastructure improvements sit on top of an already strong base.
