O2’s 5G+ network finally reaches the North of Ireland
Virgin Media O2 announced on 3 September that its next‑generation 5G+ service is now live across a swathe of Northern Ireland. The operator says the new rollout covers five major cities – Belfast, Derry, Lisburn, Newry and Armagh – as well as 22 larger towns and a further 382 villages, hamlets and coastal communities. In total, the company estimates that more than 800,000 people (about 84 % of the region’s population) will be able to tap the upgraded network.
The announcement is the latest milestone in O2’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, a multi‑year programme aimed at modernising the carrier’s infrastructure throughout the United Kingdom. While the investment has been ongoing for several years, the Northern Ireland launch marks the first time the operator has switched on a standalone (SA) 5G architecture across the six counties.
What “5G+” actually means
Earlier 5G deployments in the UK have largely relied on a non‑standalone (NSA) configuration, which piggy‑backs on existing 4G LTE radio equipment. The new 5G+ service, by contrast, uses a dedicated 5G core and new radio sites – often referred to as small cells – that sit alongside the traditional macro‑cell towers.
According to O2, this shift to SA 5G brings three tangible benefits for everyday users:
- Higher peak speeds – early tests in other UK markets have shown download rates that can exceed 1 Gbps under optimal conditions.
- Lower latency – the round‑trip time for data packets drops to the sub‑30 ms range, which is crucial for gaming, video calls and emerging IoT use‑cases.
- More reliable coverage – because the network no longer depends on the 4G layer, capacity can be scaled independently, reducing congestion during peak periods.
The operator stresses that these improvements come at no extra charge for existing O2 customers; the only requirement is a device that supports SA 5G and a SIM that is up‑to‑date (or an eSIM for newer phones).
Which devices can use 5G+?
For Android‑focused readers, the good news is that most flagship Android phones released from 2023 onward already ship with SA‑5G radios. Examples include:
- Samsung Galaxy S24 series
- Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro
- OnePlus 12
- Xiaomi 14 series
- Sony Xperia 1 V
Mid‑range models such as the Samsung Galaxy A76 or Xiaomi 13 Lite also carry SA‑5G chips, though performance may vary depending on the specific band support. O2’s 5G+ uses a mix of mid‑band (3.4‑3.8 GHz) and low‑band (700 MHz) spectrum, so checking the device’s band list is advisable before assuming full coverage.
If you are still on an older Android handset (e.g., a Pixel 6 or Galaxy S21), you will likely be limited to the older NSA 5G or 4G LTE networks. In that case, upgrading to a newer model could unlock the speed boost without any change to your monthly bill.
How the rollout fits into the broader UK 5G picture
O2 claims its 5G+ network is now the largest standalone 5G footprint in the country. Competitors such as EE, Three and Vodafone have also been expanding SA‑5G, but O2’s investment appears to be the most concentrated in terms of new mast and small‑cell deployments.
The carrier was crowned Europe’s most improved mobile network by benchmarking firm Umlaut Connect in 2025, and it retained the Best Mobile Network Coverage award at the Uswitch Telecoms Awards for a second consecutive year. While those accolades are based on a mixture of lab tests and crowd‑sourced data, they do suggest that O2’s network quality is competitive – a factor that can influence contract negotiations and handset subsidies.
For contract shoppers, the rollout could translate into better value‑for‑money bundles. Many O2 plans already include a set amount of 5G data; with the network now delivering true SA‑5G speeds, the same data allowance will feel more generous. Moreover, O2’s Priority customers – typically those on higher‑tier contracts – gain early access to event tickets and other perks, a benefit that may become more appealing now that the underlying network is stronger.
What this means for Northern Irish consumers
The press release lists 90 % outdoor 5G+ coverage for every town and city in the rollout, from Belfast’s city centre to remote coastal villages like Portrush and Ballycastle. While indoor coverage can still be patchy in older stone‑built homes, the dense deployment of small cells should improve penetration in most urban apartments.
From a practical standpoint, the upgrade could:
- Speed up mobile video streaming (e.g., Netflix, Disney+) on the go, reducing buffering.
- Improve video‑call quality for remote workers and families staying in touch.
- Enable low‑latency gaming on services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming or Google Stadia (where still available).
- Support emerging smart‑home and IoT devices that rely on stable, low‑delay connections.
Bottom line for Android‑mobile shoppers
O2’s 5G+ launch in Northern Ireland is a clear signal that the carrier is betting heavily on SA‑5G as the next standard for mobile broadband. For Android users, the key take‑aways are:
- Check your handset’s compatibility – most 2023‑2024 flagships are ready, but older phones may not benefit.
- No extra cost – the service is bundled into existing contracts, so you won’t see a price hike.
- Potential contract leverage – stronger network performance can make O2’s data‑heavy plans more attractive compared with rivals.
- Future‑proofing – as more apps and services move to cloud‑gaming and real‑time collaboration, having SA‑5G will become increasingly valuable.
If you’re already an O2 customer in Northern Ireland, the next step is simply to ensure your SIM is the latest version (or switch to an eSIM) and enjoy the faster speeds. If you’re shopping for a new contract, the rollout adds another reason to consider O2’s offers, especially if you plan to keep a high‑end Android device for the next couple of years.
Source: Virgin Media O2 press release, 3 September 2026
