O2s new 5G network

[willhub]

Virgin Media O2 Unveils the Next Phase of its Mobile Network Evolution, with 5G Standalone Switch On - Virgin Media O2

Customers in the 14 locations* will be the first to access this major upgrade which brings wider 5G coverage, higher bandwidth, and improved latency.

news.virginmediao2.co.uk

I must admit I want to go and run out to get one of the new Sims now, I hope this will mean that the times the internet just doesn't work in busy city center are gone.

 

[ShivP]

**Customers will need the latest software and an R15 SIM in order to access 5G Standalone, which is available on the following devices:

• Samsung S24
• Samsung S24+
• Samsung 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

 

[petridish]

I'll believe it when I see it. I remember Southampton being touted locally as "full city 5G coverage" years ago before I was on O2. Currently with them and every time I've been there it's like being at a festival, technically the phone is connected on 5G but even basic stuff like these forums struggle to load. Can't wait to get off O2 tbh but if they do up the bandwidth then that'll at least bring them up to level with everyone else's 4G provision...

 

[Orcvader]

TL;DR version, O2 is now turning on 5G SA (Standalone) in certain areas. That means the entire stack is now 5G, unlike previously where certain parts still relied on LTE (eg authenticating, upload, etc).

The biggest benefit should be latency and congestion... assuming O2 actually has the backhaul to cope with it. In less busy areas, you should see upload speeds almost matching download speeds.

On the other hand I'm surprised iPhones aren't supported yet. Pixels in theory should have the right hardware too as they also use Exynos modems like the Samsung phones.

 

[Christmas themed thank]

TL;DR version, O2 is now turning on 5G SA (Standalone) in certain areas. That means the entire stack is now 5G, unlike previously where certain parts still relied on LTE (eg authenticating, upload, etc).

The biggest benefit should be latency and congestion... assuming O2 actually has the backhaul to cope with it. In less busy areas, you should see upload speeds almost matching download speeds.

On the other hand I'm surprised iPhones aren't supported yet. Pixels in theory should have the right hardware too as they also use Exynos modems like the Samsung phones.

Apple are weird and charge money for doing certification outside of a release window. They also like the PR of launching a new phone on a new network, e.g. EE launched on the iPhone 5.

It will come, just not for a bit yet.

You need an R15 SIM which most people will have if they've got one in the last many many months. Or an eSIM.

Source: somebody who works for O2

 

[david25]

Anyone got Vodafone's SA networking going, launched Feb 2023?

Vodafone launches 5G Ultra

Customers in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, amongst others, to experience the most technologically advanced 5G network in the UK.

www.vodafone.co.uk

At launch, Vodafone 5G Ultra is available in several locations across the UK, including London, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, with more cities to come.

It claims to:

Up to 25% longer battery life – helps prevent the challenge of running out of battery, with up to three hours of improved battery performance.

 

[cgk]

Anyone got Vodafone's SA networking going, launched Feb 2023?

Vodafone launches 5G Ultra

Customers in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, amongst others, to experience the most technologically advanced 5G network in the UK.

www.vodafone.co.uk

At launch, Vodafone 5G Ultra is available in several locations across the UK, including London, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, with more cities to come.

It claims to:

Up to 25% longer battery life – helps prevent the challenge of running out of battery, with up to three hours of improved battery performance.

My office is ine one of the claimed zones - hard however to test any of these claims...

 

[e36Adz]

Worst mistake I made was changing from EE to O2. Fortunately I have a dual sim phone so keep a spare EE sim in there with the data switched to that. Will switch it back to O2 and see if I notice any difference.