• Swindon & Wiltshire Tech
• Tuesday October 6 2026

Next-generation 5G+ connectivity rolled out in Bristol

A next‑generation 5G+ network across Bristol, handing up to 495,000 residents and businesses faster speeds, stronger reliability and lower latency at no extra cost.

The upgrade from communications giant O2 marks another milestone in the operator’s UK‑wide 5G+ rollout and its £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan for 2026.

The new service covers communities from the city centre and Harbourside out to surrounding neighbourhoods and Avonmouth, extending O2’s standalone 5G+ footprint across the city.

Unlike earlier 5G that leaned on 4G cores, 5G+ runs on dedicated “standalone” infrastructure, delivering quicker mobile data, more consistent connections and reduced lag for everything from video calls to cloud-based work.

Customers with compatible devices and plans can access the network immediately, though some may need to update their SIM or switch to a digital eSIM.

The Bristol switch‑on forms part of a broader push to upgrade thousands of sites nationwide through new masts, small cells, spectrum redeployment and over 1,000 planned “Giga Sites” that combine multiple bands and technologies to boost capacity.

O2 says its 5G+ network already reaches 87 percent of the UK population across more than 700 towns and cities, the largest footprint of any UK operator.

“Reliable connectivity is increasingly essential to how people live, work and do business, which is why we’re continuing to invest in strengthening our network in the city,” said Professor Robert Joyce, O2’s Director of Mobile Access Engineering.

He added that the Bristol rollout is part of the £700 million transformation plan and is designed to deliver “high‑quality coverage that helps our customers stay connected when it matters most”.

Image by Roberto Hund at Pexels