O2 expands 5G Standalone network to Sheffield

Virgin Media O2 has switched on its next-generation 5G Standalone (5G SA) mobile network in Sheffield as part of a wider UK rollout now live in more than 500 locations.

Unlike earlier 5G services, the technology runs on a dedicated 5G core rather than relying on 4G infrastructure, with the operator promising improved capacity and lower latency.

However, as with previous mobile upgrades, real-world benefits will depend on device support, location, and the strength of local coverage.

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O2 5G SA in Sheffield

Virgin Media O2 has switched on its 5G Standalone mobile network in Sheffield as part of its wider UK rollout.

The operator says the next-generation network is now live across Sheffield and surrounding areas, delivering at least 90% outdoor 5G Standalone coverage locally.

Around 580,000 residents across the city and nearby towns are included in the rollout, which forms part of Virgin Media O2's Mobile Transformation Programme to upgrade mobile capacity and reliability across the UK.

O2's 5G Standalone service runs on a dedicated 5G core, rather than relying on 4G infrastructure, and is available to customers with compatible devices at no extra cost.

Usable improvement?

According to Virgin Media O2, the rollout covers Sheffield itself and surrounding areas including Chapeltown, Mexborough, Wombwell, Swinton, Conisbrough, Dinnington, Wickersley, Rossington, Bessacarr, Armthorpe, Bentley, Maltby, Hoyland and Thurnscoe.

Access to 5G Standalone depends on having a compatible handset and being on a supported O2 tariff.

Support for 5G Standalone is now common on newer smartphones - including recent Apple iPhone models (iPhone 14 onwards), Samsung Galaxy S23 and S24 series devices, and Google Pixel 7 and newer phones - while many older or lower-cost handsets may still rely on earlier non-standalone 5G or fall back to 4G.

In some cases, handset support may also depend on software updates and network configuration, meaning compatibility can vary even between similar models.

In practical terms, customers in areas with strong 5G SA coverage may now see more consistent performance at busy times, such as during commuting hours or in crowded locations, rather than dramatic headline speed increases.

The upgrade is designed to improve network capacity and responsiveness, which can matter more than raw speed for everyday tasks like video calls, streaming and mobile hotspot use.

It's also worth noting O2's coverage figure of 90% across Sheffield refers to outdoor availability, and indoor performance may still vary depending on building type, insulation, and distance from the nearest mast.

As a result, some users may notice improvements mainly when outdoors or on the move, with more variable results indoors.

4G or 5G? Where performance actually improves

One long-running issue with early UK 5G has been phones performing worse when they connect to a weak 5G signal instead of a stronger 4G one. This has been particularly noticeable on non-standalone networks that still rely on a 4G core, where devices can cling to 5G even when it delivers less consistent performance.

Independent testing has shown that a significant share of connections displaying a 5G icon may still be carried over 4G infrastructure in the background, reflecting how networks manage transitions between technologies rather than a clean switch from one to the other.

5G Standalone is designed to reduce some of these issues by running on a dedicated 5G core, giving the network more control over how devices connect, prioritise traffic and move between cells. Where coverage is strong, this can translate into smoother performance and fewer sudden drops in quality, particularly at busy times.

However, this also underlines a broader reality of mobile upgrades: capacity improvements often matter more than raw speed gains. Many users already have "fast enough" mobile data, but still experience slowdowns in crowded places or at peak times.

Consumer research has repeatedly shown that perceived availability - how often people feel reliably connected - is a stronger driver of satisfaction than headline speeds. In areas where 5G coverage remains patchy or weak, a strong 4G signal can still deliver a more consistent experience.

As a result, the benefits of 5G Standalone are likely to be uneven, with clearer improvements in areas of strong outdoor coverage rather than a uniform uplift across every postcode.