Virgin Media O2 Expands 5G and 4G Coverage Across 600 Miles of UK Roads

Virgin Media O2 (O2) has unveiled significant upgrades to its 4G and 5G networks along more than 40 major UK motorways and A roads, spanning nearly 600 miles of critical transport routes. These improvements include enhanced 4G connectivity at over 300 mobile sites and the deployment of more than 330 new 5G sites along key routes, such as the M1 (London to Leeds), M4 (London to Bristol), M6 (Coventry to Carlisle), and M8 (Glasgow to Edinburgh). This ambitious initiative is part of O2’s transformative £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, aiming to solidify the company’s position as a leader in next-generation connectivity across the UK.

Revolutionizing Connectivity for the UK Drivers

The upgrades are expected to address a pressing need for seamless connectivity for motorists, particularly for users of electric vehicles (EVs). O2 is prioritizing roads and transport hubs as critical points for advancing their mobile service offerings. The projects include future plans to extend these enhancements to other vital routes such as the A14 (Rugby to Ipswich), M20 (London to Folkestone), and A75 (Gretna to Stranraer), ensuring that travelers across the UK experience consistent and high-quality network performance.

With an extensive expansion of its 5G Standalone (5G SA) network, Virgin Media O2 now covers over 70% of the UK population in more than 500 towns and cities, elevating connectivity standards nationwide. This rollout not only provides faster speeds and lower latency but also supports broader outdoor coverage, paving the way for smarter cities and enhanced mobility experiences for travelers.

Empowering Electric Vehicle Adoption

O2’s upgrades take on added significance as they align with the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. A recent survey by Virgin Media O2 revealed that 76% of EV drivers worry about losing mobile connectivity, which could prevent them from locating or paying for public charging points. This connectivity anxiety, in fact, surpasses traditional ‘range anxiety,’ which impacts 68% of EV users. By improving mobile network reliability along critical travel routes, O2 aims to alleviate these challenges, boosting confidence among EV drivers and encouraging further adoption of environmentally-friendly transport.

Simultaneously, Believ—a charging infrastructure company backed by O2’s parent company, Liberty Global—is rolling out up to 30,000 new public EV charging points nationwide, many of which will be strategically located in areas benefiting from O2’s enhanced mobile coverage. Together, these initiatives are removing barriers for EV adoption, ensuring that drivers can access reliable connectivity and charging facilities when they need them most.

Investing in the UK’s Digital Future

In the words of Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2, “By optimizing coverage on more than 40 motorways and A roads as part of our £700 million investment in our Mobile Transformation Plan, we’re helping make every journey safer and more reliable. Alongside Believ’s new charging points, this is about removing barriers so more people can make the switch to electric with confidence.”

This strategic investment in 4G and 5G network expansion highlights O2’s commitment to building a digitally connected future. By future-proofing infrastructure for both urban and rural areas, the company is setting benchmarks for network advancements in the UK. Travelers, EV drivers, and businesses stand to gain as the nation steps closer to becoming a leader in smarter, more sustainable connectivity solutions.