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Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) has this morning announced that they’ve switched-on their next-generation 5G Standalone (5GSA) mobile broadband network in Sheffield and surrounding areas in South Yorkshire (England). The move forms part of their UK-wide rollout, which is now live in a total of more than 500 locations (70% of the UK’s population or c.49 million people).
Just to recap. 5GSA networks are pure end-to-end 5G that can deliver ultra-low latency times, greater energy efficiency, better speeds (particularly uploads), network slicing, improved support for IoT devices, increased reliability and security etc. Existing 5G networks often use a Non-Standalone (NSA) approach, which is hobbled by being partly reliant upon older and slower 4G infrastructure.
O2’s 5GSA rollout first began in February 2024 (here) and typically aims to reach “at least 90% outdoor coverage” in every location they target. The same should hold true for Sheffield, where roughly 580,000 residents across the city and in surrounding areas will be able to benefit from the new 5GSA network.
The surrounding areas mentioned above are said to include Chapeltown, Mexborough, Wombwell, Swinton, Conisbrough, Dinnington, Wickersley, Rossington, Bessacarr, Armthorpe, Bentley, Maltby, Hoyland and Thurnscoe.
Dr Robert Joyce, O2’s Director of Mobile Access Engineering, said:
“Our new 5G Standalone network is now live in Sheffield, providing an impressive upgrade for local people and businesses and creating new opportunities in and around the city. We are investing every single day to improve our mobile network and provide a more reliable experience for our customers, with these upgrades futureproofing our network and paving the way for exciting innovations that lie ahead.”
As usual, O2’s upgrade will be available to customers with compatible devices “at no extra cost“.