O2 offers free 5G+ upgrade, but is it worth the hassle?
O2's 5G+ network is live in 700 places in the UK, but you'll have to upgrade manually and, in some cases, change your SIM.
O2 has announced it is giving Pay Monthly subscribers the chance to upgrade their smartphones to its advanced 5G+ connectivity, but it will require users who haven’t already got a newer SIM or an eSIM to switch them out to take advantage.
O2 says the 5G+ service “unlocks the full power of our network and our best reliability yet” enables users to enjoy better connectivity in busier areas around the UK. 700 towns and cities in the UK can now benefit from faster speeds and improved reliability of the network, but users are required to manually upgrade to take advantage of the 5G+ service.
It’s not the smoothest process as users with Android devices will need to speak with O2 on the phone or pop into their high street store to manage the process of switching to an eSIM. iPhone users can do it online. Users will also need a compatible 5G phone – an iPhone 15 up, a mainline Pixel 9 or 10, most of the recent Samsung Galaxy A, S and Z Fold phones. Others from Sony, TCL, Oppo, Nothing, Motorola, Honor and HMD are also included.
Users can check their eligibility on O2’s website here.
Is this enough to be worth the hassle of going through the process for a bit of extra speed and reliability? It doesn’t seem like it’s a big enough deal to warrant taking time out of the day. And why can’t eligible users just be upgraded automatically, if it’s free?
Christian Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “Our 5G+ service is now available to millions of customers across the UK, and uniquely, it’s available to everyone on O2 across all Plans – unlike other networks.
“The upgrade boosts performance in busy areas, including major venues that host big crowds, benefiting both residents and visitors, and is another example of Virgin Media O2’s commitment to enhancing our network and delivering a more reliable experience. We’re investing £2 million every day to help our customers prepare for the next wave of mobile innovation.”
Chris Smith
