O2 switches on its 5G Standalone network
O2 have announced the switch on of its 5G Standalone network in 14 major cities across the UK.
O2’s existing 5G network relies on upgraded 4G infrastructure (NSA / Non-Standalone), which has limitations when it comes to delivering full 5G speeds and capacity.
With 5G Standalone, dedicated infrastructure is used for 5G, delivering faster speeds, greater bandwidth capacity and lower latency. The technology essentially enables networks to potentially deliver the full 5G specification, with theoretical maximum speeds of 20 Gbps. In addition, 5G Standalone is also more power efficient, for both infrastructure and connected devices (phones, laptops, etc).
O2 is the second network to launch 5G Standalone. Vodafone was the first network to launch 5G Standalone last year, branded as 5G Ultra.
The UK Government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy has set a target to deliver 5G Standalone to all populated areas by 2030.
O2's 5G Standalone network is available to all O2 customers at no additional cost. However, an R15 SIM card is required, which can be obtained for free by contacting O2. In addition, customers must have a 5G Standalone compatible device - simply having a 5G device is not enough:
- Samsung Galaxy S24
- Samsung Galaxy S24+
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S23+
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S22
- Samsung Galaxy S22+
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Sony Xperia 1 V
- Sony Xperia 5 V
- Samsung Galaxy S23
- Netgear M6
- Samsung A25
O2 plans to launch 5G Standalone in more towns and cities across the UK throughout 2024. For now, the network is live in the following 14 cities:
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- London
- Lincoln
- Birmingham
- Sheffield
- Glasgow
- Newcastle
- Leeds
- York
- Belfast
- Cardiff
- Nottingham
- Slough