Sky Mobile UK Becomes First O2 MVNO to Launch 5G+ Standalone Support
Customers of virtual mobile operator Sky Mobile, which is estimated to be home to around 4-5 million customers in the UK, have just become the first O2 (Virgin Media) powered Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) to introduce 5G Standalone (5G+) technology for better mobile broadband performance and more.
Early 5G deployments were Non-Standalone (NSA), which meant they were partly reliant upon some older and slower 4G infrastructure. But 5G+ networks are pure end-to-end 5G connectivity that can deliver ultra-low latency times, greater energy efficiency, better mobile data speeds (particularly uploads), network slicing, improved support for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, increased reliability and security etc.
However, while O2 has been selling 5G+ services since early 2024 and it’s now live across around 86% of the UK’s population, the story for their virtual mobile operator partners is rather different. Support for the latest features on MVNOs tends to depend upon the agreements that such operators, like Sky Mobile, have with their parent networks. But suffice to say, it usually takes a little while before new network features trickle down.
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The big development this week, as spotted by John46 on ISPreview’s forum (here), is that Sky Mobile have uploaded a new information page to state that their service now supports 5G+. But at present this page mentions that it only works if you’re connected via an eSIM, have their “free 5G Network add-on” and if you’re using either a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra handset.
At the time of writing, we don’t quite know why Sky Mobile are imposing such strict device limits, particularly when O2 already supports many more. But it seems likely to reflect part of an initial launch strategy to help sell the latest Samsung handsets and airtime bundles.
ISPreview queried all of this with Sky earlier this morning and the company later confirmed that 5G+ was currently available to a limited number of Sky Mobile customers on compatible devices and plans, although they declined to provide any further details.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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But O2 claims to have standalone 5G yet doesn’t. I’ve not yet found a mast in Kent that actually connects to standalone 5G.
Appreciate not in Kent but here in Leicestershire you struggle to find an o2 5g mast that isn’t SA.
I was using 5G SA a year ago in London, so they do have it.
Doesn’t work on all phones and you need an R15 SIM (10 minute replacement at a store) and then it should work.
Limitation is likely R15 Sims. eSims are fine. Physical Sims need a swap.
Hopefully it won’t be long before more devices are supported.