O2 has revealed plans for 5G to be rolled out across four cities in 2019.
Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London will be the first to experience 5G on the network.
The plan for it to be available to other areas in the UK will be from 2020 when there is a wider range of 5G devices.
O2 has also revealed its collaborative commitment to build a ‘5G Economy’ in partnership with British business.
As well as continuing to partner with FTSE 100 and leading UK businesses to explore innovative 5G use cases, O2 has announced it will be creating 5G innovation labs for businesses across the country, including in its Wayra accelerator hubs.
The spaces will provide 5G test environments for start-ups to help in hope to push future innovation that will boost the British economy post-Brexit.
“5G is a promise of so much more – for consumers, business, industry and public services,” said Mark Evans, CEO of Telefónica UK.
“O2’s 5G network will arrive this year and we want the next-generation of mobile services to launch with a bang.
“It will benefit customers from launch, with better speeds and improved customer experience.
“Mobile is one of the UK’s most powerful opportunities to strengthen our economy and improve the lives of British people and 5G is a significant milestone for this nation.”
The news comes soon after Vodafone has connected its first 5G airport in the UK.