5G - Powered by O2's network

5G

Powered by O2 network

Say hello to a faster mobile life for you and your family at a price you’ll love

We’re powered by O2’s network

That means 99% 4G coverage. On the UK’s most reliable network. And with 5G now in parts of most major UK towns and cities, you’re likely getting blisteringly fast connections and even greater reliability, too.

Tesco Mobile runs over O2’s network. Which is cracking news: it means 99% UK coverage, and a better connection in hard-to-reach rural areas. So, you can rely on us to keep you connected whatever you’re doing. Check out the coverage in your area.

With 5G. The best thing since sliced bread.

Lots of people are getting pretty excited about 5G. Here’s why: first up, it’s fast. About 10 times faster than 4G. That means things like streaming 4K movies without a blip, and pro-level lag-free gaming smoothness for everyone.

But it’s not just about speed. With 5G, far more connections can be made at the same time. That means if you’re somewhere busy like a concert or football match, everyone’s connection stays fast and reliable.

And it’s those things together – many lightning-fast connections, all at once – that will make 5G such a game-changer. It opens up a world of possibilities for connecting transport, healthcare and other services in ways we’ve never seen before.

With Tesco Mobile, you’ll get 5G in parts of most major towns and cities across the UK (164 and counting).

What can 5G do for me?

Our 5G network provides a more reliable mobile experience, giving you quicker downloads, uploads, and super clear connections. The kids won’t be waiting for their film to be ready. You won’t be twiddling your thumbs while your emails send. And no more frozen images of the grandparents when you’re video calling. Everything’s faster and everyone’s happier on 5G.

5G vs 4G

What exactly is 5G?

5G is the fifth generation of mobile networking. It can handle loads more data than 4G and is significantly faster than it, too. For you, it promises much faster speeds and less lag wherever you are, giving you instant connectivity even in the busiest of places.

Is 5G safe? 5G explained

5G frequently asked questions

As 5G is faster than 4G, files will take less time to download but the size of the file will remain the same. 5G won’t use more mobile data to download that same file. But, if you’re thinking that you might download more, because it’s quicker to do so, you can use our data calculator to see if you will need to get a bigger data allowance with your 5G contract.

At the moment, the 5G network is slowly rolling out worldwide, with some countries adopting it faster than others – like the UK. Check back with us often to see if 5G is coming to you, or if where you’re planning on travelling is 5G-ready.

A key difference between 4G and 5G is how fast you can download or stream files over your mobile data connection. For a full run-down of the difference between the technologies, check our 4G vs. 5G article.

There’s no evidence to suggest that 5G is harmful. Last year, the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) published a draft review of their mobile frequency guidelines and said that none of the frequencies used by mobile communications, including 5G, required amendments to their guidelines.

Both the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro are 5G-ready, so if you’re a fan of Apple iPhones you can now enjoy superfast 5G on Apple’s latest and greatest offering.

Unfortunately, no. A phone needs a 5G chipset and modem to connect to a 5G network. Newer phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, the iPhone 13, and the iPhone 14 are 5G-ready because they have the right chipset and modem to connect.