British mobile network operator O2 UK has announced that it has fulfilled a commitment to offer 5G connectivity in at least 20 locations by the end of 2019, with it having added 13 new locations to its network footprint late last month. In a press release regarding its network development, the cellco said it had connected ‘multiple major cities’ to its 5G network, with those being: Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Derby, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Sheffield and Stoke. Previously, the cellco had launched its 5G service in October 2019 in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Slough, before extending coverage to Leicester and Lisburn the following month.
Looking ahead, O2 has said it aims to reach a total of 50 locations with 5G by summer 2020, with the operator having specifically named Blackpool, Bournemouth, Eton, Guildford, Reading and Windsor as locations where it expects to commence rollout by March this year.
Commenting, Derek McManus, O2 UK’s COO, said: ‘We were incredibly proud to switch on our 5G network in October, and it is brilliant to hit our target of 20 towns and cities connected to our next-generation network as we head into 2020. Our range of tariffs make it easy and fair for customers to access 5G, with flexible plans that cost no more than 4G.’