O2 to connect 1,000 locations to 4G spectrum in rapid rollout

O2 is all set to connect over 1,000 UK sites to new 4G spectrum by the end of 2018. The operator has already switched on sites to transmit the new 4G spectrum within 24 hours of acquiring it.

The rapid rollout follows O2’s purchase of an additional 40Mhz of 2.3GHz 4G spectrum in Ofcom’s spectrum auction, which concluded earlier this month. The company will have switched on 100 sites across the country to transmit the new spectrum by the end of April, including in London, Leeds and Nottingham.

The deployment of new 4G spectrum will reach over 1,000 sites nationwide and more than 10 cities by the end of the year. It will enhance O2’s 4G experience for customers across the UK, allowing them do more of the things they want wherever they are. The rollout plan prioritises enhancing performance on major transportation hubs in major cities, and in busy shopping areas including Westfield Shopping centres in White City and Stratford where the public has been calling for an improved service.

The additional 4G spectrum will ensure O2 can continue to meet the nation’s rapidly growing demand for mobile data. Just last year the amount of mobile data the British public uses increased more than 46%1 as consumers increasingly choose mobile devices over laptops and televisions when it comes to browsing the internet or watching their favourite programmes.

The 4G rollout is part of O2’s commitment to delivering the best mobile experience for its customers across the UK. The telecoms operator invests over £2 million per day to maintain and improve its network. In the past year alone, O2 has grown its 4G coverage to cover over 98 per cent of the UK population helping to connect even more customers to 4G mobile speeds.

Derek McManus, COO of O2, said: “We know how important a fast and reliable connection is to our customers which is why we’re putting our new 4G spectrum to use as quickly as possible. We were able to switch on the first sites within 24 hours. Our swift deployment of new 4G spectrum will further enhance the O2 experience for all of our UK customers.”