O2 has announced that more than half of Scotland’s population can now access its 5G mobile network, with its next-generation 5G Standalone (5GSA) network now live in 54 towns and cities across the country.
Alongside this, Virgin Media has committed £330 million to expand gigabit broadband coverage to over 1.5 million premises in Scotland, enhancing high-speed internet access across the region.
The updates were shared during a visit by Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, to VMO2’s new Maxim Park office in Lanarkshire, which is home to 350 staff. O2 also revealed that it has upgraded its 4G and 5G networks across more than 28,000 Scottish postcodes this year alone, as part of its wider £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan aimed at improving mobile reliability and performance.
However, it remains unclear whether Virgin Media’s £330 million investment in gigabit broadband expansion in Scotland is separate from or overlaps with the investment from nexfibre, which notes that its fixed-line network now covers 50% of the Scottish population, claiming to be the country’s largest gigabit provider. By contrast, data from Thinkbroadband indicates that Openreach’s full fibre (FTTP) network covers nearly 57% of premises in Scotland.
“Digital connectivity is central to how we live, work, and learn. It supports our public services, enables economic growth, and connects people and businesses throughout Scotland — especially in rural and island communities. Delivering better connectivity requires collaboration, and Virgin Media O2 is a valued partner in that effort. From investing in fibre and new mobile infrastructure to supporting digital inclusion and our Connecting Scotland programme, I welcome the company’s ongoing commitment to Scotland and the opportunity to visit its new Scottish headquarters at Maxim Park,” said First Minister John Swinney.
In addition to network upgrades, VMO2 announced initiatives to support digital inclusion. The company has partnered with the Scottish Government, Citizens Advice, Hubbub, and the National Databank to distribute 1,200 refurbished smartphones to individuals unable to afford devices or data. Furthermore, VMO2 is working with the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) and Jangala to introduce free Wi-Fi connectivity to mobile library services in rural areas. This innovative UK pilot will equip mobile library vehicles with Jangala’s ‘Big Box’ technology, powered by mobile data donated by O2, providing WiFi access to residents in remote locations.
