O2 (United Kingdom): 4G and 5G bands
O2 (United Kingdom) runs 4G on B20, B1, B3, B40; B20 is the coverage layer. 5G bands: n78, n28, n1, n8, n38. 5G SA: live (2024-02); RedCap: not launched; 3G: switched off (2026-03); 2G: by 2033.
Check your module in the UK
Results cover the 4 networks here; the home page checks every country at once.
Bands in detail
| Band | Name | Duplex | Uplink MHz | Downlink MHz | Layer | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B20 | 800 Digital Dividend | FDD | 832–862 | 791–821 | coverage layer | cross-checked12 |
| B1 | 2100 IMT | FDD | 1920–1980 | 2110–2170 | capacity layer | cross-checked12 |
| B3 | 1800 DCS | FDD | 1710–1785 | 1805–1880 | capacity layer | cross-checked12 |
| B40 | 2300 S-Band | TDD | 2300–2400 | 2300–2400 | capacity layer | cross-checked12 |
| B8 | 900 E-GSM | FDD | 880–915 | 925–960 | coverage layer | single source1 |
| B38 | 2600 IMT-E TDD | TDD | 2570–2620 | 2570–2620 | capacity layer | single source2 |
| B28 | 700 APT | FDD | 703–748 | 758–803 | coverage layer | single source2 |
| n78 | 3500 C-Band | TDD | 3300–3800 | 3300–3800 | capacity layer | single source2 |
| n28 | 700 APT | FDD | 703–748 | 758–803 | coverage layer | single source2 |
| n1 | 2100 IMT | FDD | 1920–1980 | 2110–2170 | capacity layer | single source2 |
| n8 | 900 E-GSM | FDD | 880–915 | 925–960 | coverage layer | single source2 |
| n38 | 2600 IMT-E TDD | TDD | 2570–2620 | 2570–2620 | capacity layer | single source2 |
Frequencies are from the 3GPP specifications. “Single source” means only one community source lists the band; it is shown but not scored.
Network status
| 5G SA | Live (2024-02)3 |
|---|---|
| RedCap | Not launched4 |
| LTE-M | Not in GSMA list5 |
| NB-IoT | Not in GSMA list5 |
| 2G | By 20336 |
| 3G | Switched off (2026-03)6 |
Our dongles on this network
Supports B20 (coverage layer), B1, B3. Missing B40.
Supports B20 (coverage layer), B1, B3. Missing B40.
Supports B1, B3, B40. Missing the operator’s main band B20.
5G: 5G bands match, but no commercial RedCap yet
Sources
- C UK country guide (sources: Ken’s Tech Tips, EE Community) Hyper Nexus · 2026-09
- C Frequency checker · United Kingdom Kimovil · 2026-09-30
- A 5G Standalone switch-on in 14 UK cities Virgin Media O2 · 2024-02-22
- B 5G RedCap webinar, March 2026 GSA · 2026-03
- B Mobile IoT network launches (Nov 2025) GSMA · 2025-11
- B UK 2G / 3G switch-off timeline CSL Group · 2026-09-30
