Virgin Media rolls out 5G in more than 100 locations across the UK – nearly TWO YEARS after its rivals launched the first ultra-fast networks
- First 5G network went live in May 2019 and was powered by EE
- Virgin Media has now launched its first 5G network for the fist time
- It piggybacks on Vodafone’s infrastructure to bring the ultra-fast internet to its more than three million mobile customers
Virgin Media mobile customers can now get access to ultra-fast 5G internet as the operator finally launches its network in more than 100 places across the UK.
The system piggybacks on the infrastructure built by Vodafone, as part of a growing partnership between the two companies.
More than three million Virgin mobile customers will now automatically be able to access 5G at no extra cost if they have a suitable plan and device.
New locations with Virgin-powered 5G include London, Birmingham, Belfast and Glasgow, and it goes live today.
EE was the first internet provider to go live with a 5G network in the UK in May 2019, soon followed by Vodafone. Now, O2, Three, Sky and Virgin also have 5G compatibility.
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Virgin Media customers will now be able to get access to ultra-fast 5G internet as the operator finally sets its network live in more than 100 places across the UK
5G is the newest generation of mobile communication technology, offering data speeds several times faster than 4G.
The network also allows for larger amounts of data to be transferred at once, which could one day help power technologies such as fully-autonomous cars.
Virgin Media said it would begin offering 5G plans at no extra cost to existing deals and would automatically boost those with a 5G-enabled device to the new network if it had been purchased through Virgin Media since April last year.
Jeff Dodds, the chief operating officer for Virgin Media, said the 5G launch was a ‘milestone moment’ for the company.
‘As the world’s first virtual mobile operator, our offering has long been about breaking boundaries and offering our customers a premium service without the price tag,’ he said.
‘That’s why we’re launching fast, reliable 5G connectivity at no extra cost while keeping the added extras of our existing mobile plans in place.
‘By offering 5G and gigabit broadband all under one roof, Virgin Media customers can experience next-generation connectivity both in and out of the home, putting them in a great place to take advantage of the latest technology.’
Mobile rival O2 earlier this month rolled out its 5G network in 53 new towns and cities across the UK, pulling ahead of its rival EE to become the nation’s biggest provider of ultra-fast mobile internet.
However, a leading expert said last week that the rollout of 5G networks should be halted until the safety of the technology has been tested and its safety proven.
Professor John William Frank, a physician and epidemiologist from the University of Edinburgh, says we should ‘err on the side of caution’ by delaying any further roll-out of 5G globally, ‘pending more conclusive research’ on its safety.
5G requires more transmitter masts in a given stretch of land than previous generations of broadband cellular networks, like 4G.
Because of this, he believes more people will be exposed to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) at levels ‘potentially harmful to health’.
Scientists and experts have challenged Professor Frank’s suggestion, with one saying his ‘opinion is not supported by health authorities worldwide’.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) also says ‘no adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies’ after much research.
Professor Frank does, however, stress the ridiculousness of linking 5G exposures to Covid-19, as suggested by some conspiracy theorists.
He also condemns the numerous violent attacks on 5G masts, which are providing essential communications technology during the pandemic, in the UK last year.
WHAT IS 5G?
5G is the newest generation of mobile communication technology, offering data speeds several times than 4G.
The network also allow for larger amounts of data to be transferred at once, which could one day help power technologies such as fully autonomous cars.
For most consumers, 5G will allow you to carry out tasks on your smartphone more quickly and efficiently.
For example, EE claims that it takes just under 37 seconds to download a 600MB film using its 5G network!
However, 5G could also open the door to a world of futuristic technologies.
For example, the increased speed and lower latency could allow driverless cars to communicate with one another, while the network could also lead to more immersive VR and AR experiences.
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