Faster 5G+ arrives in Bristol
O2 has activated its next-generation 5G+ network across Bristol, bringing standalone 5G to the city centre, Harbourside, surrounding neighbourhoods and Avonmouth. The upgrade forms part of Virgin Media O2’s wider rollout and reaches up to 495,000 people with faster speeds, better reliability and lower latency.
Every town and city in the programme already meets at least 90% outdoor 5G+ coverage. Eligible customers need a compatible handset, plan and up-to-date SIM; some may require a switch to an eSIM. There is no additional charge.
How it compares with earlier upgrades
This follows the same standalone network O2 activated in Newcastle, Tyneside and Sunderland last month. That earlier switch gave 1.18 million people in the North East access to the improved service. Bristol now joins the list of cities receiving the upgrade under the operator’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan.
What Professor Robert Joyce said
Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said: “Reliable connectivity is increasingly essential to how people live, work and do business, which is why we’re continuing to invest in strengthening our network in the city. This rollout is part of our £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan and brings 5G+ to more customers across Bristol. With faster speeds, lower latency and improved reliability, the upgrade will deliver high-quality coverage that helps our customers stay connected when it matters most.”
Checking eligibility
Full details on compatible devices and plans are available on O2’s site. We list current O2 tariffs and compare them with rival networks on our mobile phones page so you can see whether your existing plan already qualifies or whether an upgrade makes sense.
