O2 UK Boost 4G and 5G Mobile at 13,000 Scottish Postcodes for Summer
Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today revealed that – over the past 12-months – they’ve upgraded the network capacity and coverage of their 4G and 5G mobile (mobile broadband) services at a total of 13,000 postcodes across Scotland, including at some of the country’s most remote destinations (SRN).
The upgrades form part of O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, which is investing around £700m this year into their mobile network – “ensuring it is fit for the future and can keep up with increasing customer demand“. All mobile operators have to conduct similar work, so this is not unusual and comes against a backdrop of rising demand (i.e. the amount of mobile data traffic more than doubling in the past 5 years). Not to mention the need to withdraw their old 3G network.
The upgrades extend to popular tourist centres, with 782 upgraded postcodes in Edinburgh and major improvements in coverage across the Scottish Highlands. On top of this, O2 has recently installed small cells in Perth, as well as switching on its next-generation 5G Standalone (5GSA) network in Stirling for better performance.
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O2 has also recently brought reliable connectivity to many unique Scottish tourist destinations that previously had none. For example:
- Corrour Station – the UK’s highest and most remote railway stop, famously featured in Trainspotting
- Barra Airport – the only airport in the world with a scheduled beach runway and tidal timetable
- Loch Ossian Eco Hostel and Glen Affric Hostel – reachable only by foot or bike
The announcement comes as new research commissioned by O2 claims that 48% of Brits are planning a staycation in Scotland this summer. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, 41% are staying in the UK to save money, while 25% are opting for Scotland so their pets can join the adventure. Cultural influences also play a role, with 13% inspired by TV and films shot in Scotland.
Dr Robert Joyce, O2’s Director of Mobile Access Engineering, said:
“Scotland has always been one of the most beautiful and remote destinations in the UK but now it’s better connected than ever before. Thanks to O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, whether they’re hiking the Highlands, flying into Barra, or visiting a rural island, visitors can stay connected when and where it matters most.”
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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Is there any way of finding out which areas should see an improvement? Wait for coverage maps to update?
It seems very bizarre to me, that O2 are quoting coverage improvements by numbers of postcode of late. In urban areas, that would allow you to quote hundreds of postcodes for even a couple of small cells. Perhaps not quite so true in rural areas, but a strange measure all the same.
I’m also not entirely convinced that the 3 locations quoted have had zero coverage upto now. But I don’t have specific local knowledge so would have to defer.
I am not entirely convinced that those three areas are covered specifically by O2 even now – there is coverage there from an independent operator though through the 5GDRIVE project.
‘Don’t make me laugh. Here in Elderslie its been almost impossible to get an o2 signal since the (o2) signal mast was blown down in the January storm. It’s still down. O2 kindly give us an automated update almost every other day. Another laugh. HS2 will running to Scotland before it’s fixed. Dreadful service. Beware O2. They tell porkies over and over again.
Still probably worse than EE/VF in Scotland