- Virgin Media O2 trial of mmWave spectrum achieves record 4Gbps speed in single device
- High-frequency spectrum improves mobile performance in dense urban and commercial locations
- More than 2,000 small cells support high-speed 5G coverage in busy areas
Virgin Media O2 has confirmed the acquisition of new millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum following the latest Ofcom auction, representing a £13 million investment to expand its high-capacity 5G coverage.
The operator aims to deploy the technology in the UK’s busiest urban and commercial areas, focusing on airports, train stations, stadiums and major urban centers where network demand peaks.
The purchase of Virgin Media O2 secures approximately a third of the total available spectrum, allowing the company to handle heavy mobile traffic as data demand continues to increase.
Expanding high-speed 5G coverage
The new spectrum, comprising 800 MHz in the 26 GHz band and 1,000 MHz in the 40 GHz band, will play a key role in improving capacity and reliability in high-density environments.
Ofcom says these frequencies were allocated in 68 urban regions with the highest mobile data usage, including London, Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow.
The investment builds on Virgin Media O2’s existing standalone 5G footprint, the largest of its kind in the UK, and forms part of its £700m Mobile Transformation Plan by 2025.
The operator has stated that the new high-frequency waves will strengthen its mobile infrastructure and also support emerging data-intensive applications that require speed and low latency.
“This new investment… fits perfectly with our strategy to transform our mobile network and provide our customers with a reliable mobile connectivity experience wherever they are,” said Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2.
Prior to the acquisition, Virgin Media O2 conducted a live trial of mmWave technology under a trial license.
During the test, the company recorded a maximum speed of 4 Gbps on a single device, a record for its network.
Although there are currently only a limited number of compatible devices on the UK market, Virgin Media O2 is expecting wider hardware adoption to align with its launch schedule.
The company’s extensive deployment of more than 2,000 small cells is also expected to complement mmWave coverage.
These compact installations, typically mounted on streetlights and buildings, enable dense, high-capacity 5G networks in busy areas where traditional base stations struggle to maintain performance.
Virgin Media O2’s approach appears more practical than headline-oriented, as mmWave technology offers exceptional speed but operates over shorter ranges, making large-scale coverage more complex and expensive.
Its use is likely to remain focused on dense urban areas and critical transportation hubs.
By combining the new spectrum with existing infrastructure, including the recently launched “Giga Site” in Paddington, capable of delivering over 10Gbps throughput, the company is aiming for incremental, focused improvements rather than sweeping nationwide upgrades.
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