O2 is one of the 4 UK mobile phone operators in the UK. It is owned by Virgin Media, under the VirginMedia-O2 brand. O2 is the second largest of the UK operators with 26% of the market share. This includes the customers of Virgin Media Mobile as well as the O2 customers.
O2 use the following frequencies:
| 700MHz | Band 29 | 5G |
| 800MHz | Band 20 | 4G |
| 900MHz | Band 8 | 2G + 3G |
| 1800MHz | Band 3 | 2G + 4G |
| 2100MHz | Band 1 | 3G + 4G |
| 2300MHz | Band 40 | 4G |
| 3400MHz | Band 78 | 5G |
| 3600MHz | Band 77 | 5G |
O2 is one of the two original mobile operators in the UK, called CellNet and owned by BT at the time. They ran a 1G analogue network throughout the UK
On the release of the digital 2G network, Cellnet were one of the 4 mobile network operators. The network was later sold to Telefonica who changed the name to O2.
O2 were also part of the 3G auction and were one of the 4 3G operators in the UK. They are the last operator to switch off the 3G network which will be finalised at the end of 2025.
O2 also run a significant 4G network over the whole of the UK. Over the years, due to various spectrum auctions and OfCom allocations, O2 have accumulated a lot of frequency over a number of spectrum areas. Perhaps because of this O2 did not purchase any of the 2.6MHz frequency with which to run their 4G network. But as part of the latest 5G auctions purchased some spectrum within 2.3MHz to expand their 4G capacity.
Within the 5G auction they purchased spectrum at 3.4GHz and 3.6GHz to provide 5G capacity as well as 700MHz to provide the 5G coverage. Subsequent to the auction and some moving about of frequency, O2 have a continuous block of 80MHz for 5G use. O2 was the last to run a 5G network, but now have a "full" 5G service throughout the UK. They have a 50% coverage of 5G within the UK. Uniquely amongst the mobile operators O2 does not have a significant exposure to Chinese (Huawei and ZTE) equipment and are not exposed to the cost nor the delays caused by this. O2 also support a network of O2 WiFi hotspots which can be combined well with 4G / 5G in providing extra capacity.
Recently the O2 network was sold to Virgin Media creating the VirginMedia-O2 brand. Under the ownership of Virgin Media, O2 are part of an organisation that has a significant digital entertainment offering as well as their own broadband, with their own fibre in the streets as well as being a mobile operator. Due to the range of offering VirginMedia-O2 is a direct competitor to BT/EE
O2 have a large online and retail presence selling mobile phones, and other online devices, that can be attached to their network.
We use the mobile phone for all manner of things apart from making phone calls and sending messages We use it for directions, for banking, for tickets, to buy things, to watch videos, to take pictures and many other things. Mobile phone technology is the technology that underpins our use of the mobile phone, and other communication systems.
mobilephonetechnology.co.uk is a FREE online resource. Have you found it interesting? You can say thank you and buy me a coffee here. Thank you very much.
w : mobilephonetechnology.co.uk
e :
Blog
mobilephonetechnology.co.uk seeks to provide some information about the technology behind the mobile phone to aid understanding and promote more realistic discussions about the technology. By understanding some of the basics of mobile phone technology will help explain how things work and what can be done with mobile phone technology.
© mobilephonetechnology.co.uk all rights reserved 2017-2025