INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Mobile Technology
O2 announces 5G launch,
prioritising areas where
customers will benefit most
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O
2 customers will benefit from 5G connectivity from October
this year. One of Britain’s best networks for coverage will
initially switch on across key hubs in areas of Belfast, Cardiff,
Edinburgh, London, Slough and Leeds, ensuring 5G is available where
customers need it most. O2’s 5G switch-on will see faster speeds and
new opportunities reaching customers in 20 towns and cities by the
end of the year and 50 by summer 2020.
O2’s intelligence-led rollout strategy has been driven by data and
insight that identifies where customers will benefit from 5G the most.
The next-generation network will radically improve capacity and
reliability in key locations, allowing customers to access super-fast
speeds even during peak periods. Key locations include train stations,
important business areas and entertainment and sports venues
including The O2 and Twickenham Stadium. Following the launch of
5G in October, both consumer and business customers will be able to
select a 5G tariff that suits them.
O2’s industry-leading custom plans ensure that customers have the
flexibility to take advantage of 5G on their terms. Customers on O2
custom plans can move to 5G at any time they chose. For customers
who want to stick with their current handset, custom plans give them
the flexibility to trade in their existing non-5G handset and take out
a new 5G handset and tariff any time after launch. Full detail of O2’s
tariffs, handsets and devices will be revealed later this year.
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Mark Evans, CEO, Telefónica UK, said: “5G is going to be a game
changer for our country. Whether it’s for people or businesses, the
power of this next-generation network is going to unlock a world of
possibilities for our economy and society.
“As we switch on our network across the country, our intelligence-led
rollout prioritises the key areas in towns and cities first – the places
where our customers need and will use 5G the most. We’re also giving
our customers maximum flexibility with our industry-leading custom
plans, letting people adopt 5G at a time that’s right for them.”
Building a 5G economy
The 5G announcement comes as O2 confirms its new business
division, O2 Business. O2 Business will consolidate the operator’s B2B
activity across Enterprise and Wholesale partners. O2 Business will
bring together all product development (including IOT, data and 5G)
alongside its Enterprise and Wholesale sales and commercial teams.
The division will focus on supporting business customers to use
technology to solve their business problems.
O2 Business will build on existing plans, working with major UK
businesses across Industrial and Manufacturing, Energy and Utilities,
Retail, and Transport sectors to build a 5G economy and help shape
the use cases to drive benefits from 5G. n
www.intelligentcio.com