Virgin Media O2 trials new approach to boosting mobile coverage

Virgin Media O2 has successfully trialled a new approach to boosting mobile services by leveraging its existing fixed network infrastructure along with new smart poles. This innovative solution could help boost mobile coverage across local areas in the UK.

The trial, conducted in collaboration with shareholder Liberty Global, involved installing compact smart poles adjacent to Virgin Media's fibre network cabinets. These poles, significantly smaller than traditional mobile phone...

18 March 2024 | 5G

Virgin Media O2 launches UK’s first 2Gbps residential broadband 

Virgin Media O2 has become the first major UK broadband provider to launch a residential 2Gbps service, dubbed Gig2, and introduce symmetrical download and upload speeds across all speed tiers as an optional add-on for customers.

The new blisteringly fast Gig2 broadband service, which offers speeds more than 28 times faster than the UK average, is enabled by XGS-PON full-fibre technology and builds on Virgin Media's existing 1Gbps Gig1 service.

Gig2 will be available...

7 February 2024 | Broadband

RootMetrics: Three overtakes EE for best UK 5G network 

RootMetrics has unveiled its latest UK mobile report based on over 600,000 tests conducted in the second half of 2023.

The results cover the entire spectrum of user experiences, spanning the UK, individual nations, and 16 prominent metropolitan markets. Here's a breakdown of how the key players—EE, Three, Virgin Media O2, and Vodafone—performed during this extensive testing period.

EE maintains overall dominance

For the 21st consecutive time, EE clinched the...

29 January 2024 | 5G

Virgin Media O2 launches free ad-supported streaming TV channels

Virgin Media O2 has joined forces with renowned entertainment networks to introduce a selection of new Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels.

The new FAST channels will be seamlessly integrated into Virgin Media's Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), intermingling with its existing linear channel lineup. However, unlike traditional TV, the FAST channels will curate program schedules based on a single show or theme, offering an alternative and personalised viewing...

28 July 2023 | Operators

VMO2 selling its towers biz stake could net it over £1B

Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has begun the process of offloading at least 50 percent of its stake in Cornerstone, the UK’s largest telecoms towers company.

The sale of its entire stake could raise more than £1.5 billion if successful, with the total value of Cornerstone estimated to be around £3 billion.

The sale has been sent to potential bidders and VMO2 has appointed Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan to oversee the process. If the stake sale goes ahead, VMO2 will use the cash...

21 April 2023 | Networks

Virgin Media O2 makes multi-million-pound investment with new central London HQ

Virgin Media 02 office.

Virgin Media O2 has made changes to two of its main offices in the south of England with a multi-million-pound investment to create a new state-of-the-art UK headquarters in Paddington Central.

The investment follows a comprehensive review of its property portfolio which will see existing sites in both Hammersmith and Slough close by the end of next year. Employees will come together across the existing Virgin Media O2 office in Green Park, Reading, and a new office in Paddington,...

6 March 2023 | Operators

Half of Brits think European roaming fees are ‘unfair’

Half of Brits think it’s unfair they have to pay additional charges for using their mobile devices while travelling elsewhere in Europe.

That was the key finding from a survey conducted by Virgin Media O2. As it’s keen to point out, it was the only UK operator not to reintroduce EU roaming fees post-Brexit.

Gareth Turpin, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:

“We know that many people will be cost-conscious when going on holiday this year,...

6 February 2023 | Networks

First operator goes live on ‘pioneering’ mobile infrastructure

The first operator has gone live on “pioneering” mobile infrastructure that will host multiple telcos.

EE has joined a connectivity pilot led by Freshwave that will deliver enhanced 4G and 5G coverage to users along Queen Victoria Street in London.

James Hope, Director of Mobile Radio Access Networks at EE, said:

“High capacity, super-fast connectivity is essential for consumers and businesses today, with demand for data and low-latency networks...

20 December 2022 | 5G

Virgin Media O2, NEC and Rakuten activate Open RAN sites

Virgin Media O2, NEC, and Rakuten have activated their first commercial sites as part of an Open RAN partnership.

Open RAN helps to break up the relative monopoly held by a handful of telecom equipment vendors and provides greater diversity in national infrastructure.

“The successful activation of Virgin Media O2’s first UK macro-sites demonstrates the potential of the multi-vendor Open RAN model,” said Jeanie York, CTO at Virgin Media O2.

“We are...

30 August 2022 | 5G

Virgin Media O2 increases data-free services list to help with the cost-of-living crisis

Virgin Media O2 has boosted its list of services that customers can access for free as part of its efforts to support people during the cost-of-living crisis.

Virgin Media O2 customers will now be able to access the National Debtline, Business Debtline, Turn2us, Debt Advice Foundation, and National Energy Action without using any of their mobile data.

National Energy Action Chief Executive Adam Scorer says: “The energy crisis is already making life difficult for...

21 July 2022 | Operators