Check Mobile Coverage on O2

O2 is one of the big four UK networks, which along with Three, EE, and Vodafone is one of the only four to have its own spectrum and masts.

Now combined with Virgin Media, the merged company has over 45.8 million UK connections across mobile, broadband, home phone, and TV. But it’s just the mobile side that we’re interested in here.

For that, O2 is a compelling choice, with a wide variety of plans and strong coverage. Below, you’ll find out more about O2’s coverage, selling points, and how to deal with any signal issues.

What types of mobile coverage does O2 have?

O2 offers 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G coverage, though notably it’s in the process of phasing 3G out at the time of writing. This though is the case across the UK’s networks (in fact some have finished switching 3G off), and will allow O2 to move network resources across to more modern technologies, like 5G and 4G.

O2 also offers 5G Standalone in some parts of the UK. This is the latest network technology, offering greater speeds, reliability, and coverage than standard 5G (also known as 5G Non-Standalone), as it doesn’t rely on any legacy 4G infrastructure.

What are the selling points of O2?

First up, as one of the UK’s four major networks O2 offers an extensive variety of plans, not just in terms of data limits and durations, but also you can choose to get a smartphone on contract, go SIM Only, pick Pay As You Go, or look beyond phones and opt for a data only plan, a mobile broadband one, or a tablet, smartwatch, or laptop.

So whatever you’re looking for, O2 can probably help – as long as it involves mobile data.

Beyond that, O2 gives its customers access to O2 Priority, which includes competitions, discounts from other brands, and access to Priority tickets to events.

O2 also gives its customers inclusive European roaming as standard, and it’s the only one of the major UK networks to do so. Select plans though let you roam further afield inclusively too.

Plus, with some plans you’ll get a subscription of up to six months to a choice of services, such as Disney Plus or Amazon Prime.

Some plans let you upgrade to a new phone and plan after just three months too, and O2 also has various standard network features like tethering, Wi-Fi Calling, and 4G Calling. And you also have the option of an eSIM.

How can I check O2’s network status?

You can head to O2’s service status page to check for any known issues with the network in your area. Simply enter your postcode or address and the type of service you’re having problems with (e.g. voice, data, text, or lack of signal).

You could also try heading to O2’s Downdetector page. Here you’ll be able to see whether other users have recently reported issues with the network.

What can I do to improve signal?

If the links above aren’t reporting any issues yet you’re still having signal problems, there are several other things you could try. If you’re inside a building, you could try moving outside to see if this helps with signal. You could also try moving away from any temporary structures or thick tree cover, or try moving nearer a mast. And if the weather is bad, it’s possible signal will improve once it clears up.

Of course, you may not want to have to move elsewhere or wait to use your phone, so there are other potential solutions – whether or not the factors above are an issue.

For one thing, your phone itself could be having issues. To see if that’s the problem, you could try turning airplane mode on and off again, or turning your phone off and on again. You should also check it has the latest software, and if the battery is low, try charging it, as these things can all have an impact on signal.

If none of this helps or if O2 itself is reporting network issues, then you still might be able to get connected – you just might have to use Wi-Fi to do so. If there’s a Wi-Fi network available, then you can make use of Wi-Fi Calling to use your phone for calls and texts as normal.

But if the problem persists then it’s worth getting in touch with O2 for assistance. You can reach the company at 202 from your O2 phone or 0344 809 0202 from another phone.

What other networks use O2’s network?

O2 is an MNO (mobile network operator), but some other companies known as MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) share its coverage. These include Giffgaff, Sky Mobile, and Tesco Mobile.

Does O2 have coverage abroad?

O2 itself doesn’t have coverage abroad but you can still get a signal when abroad on O2 via local networks the company has partnered with, which you’ll automatically connect to. O2 also offers inclusive roaming as standard (up to a 25GB fair usage limit) in the following places:

Austria, Azores, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus*, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Vatican City.

Some plans let you roam even further afield at no extra cost, in these places: Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greenland, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela and Yemen.

If you don’t have one of these plans or you’re going somewhere else, then you can also roam for £7 per day in 63 global destinations outside Europe.