Telefonica (NYSE:TEF) Deutschland, operating under the O2 brand, announced the launch of its 5G Plus network in Germany. The service will be activated on October 10, offering customers enhanced speed, lower latency, and new features through its standalone technology (5G SA). The 5G SA technology exclusively uses frequencies designated for 5G, which promises near real-time communication and higher speeds.
The company stated that over 90% of the German population can currently access the 5G Plus coverage. It aims to extend the service nationwide by the end of 2025. Telefonica's 5G Plus operates as a standalone network with a 5G core network, optimized for unique characteristics of 5G like lower latency, higher speed, and sustainability.
O2's customers will be the first in Germany to make mobile calls over the entire 5G network using Voice-over-New Radio Technology (VoNR), which promises better voice quality compared to the previously used 4G/LTE technology for voice telephony in 5G networks.
The telecommunications company has been using the 5G SA technology for business applications since 2020, benefiting sectors such as healthcare, industry, and public services. It also enables IoT applications and medical device networks.
O2 also emphasized the energy efficiency of its 5G Plus network. Due to intelligent antenna technologies and network capacity control, it consumes up to 90% less power per byte than previous mobile communication standards.
The company's new network utilizes frequencies exclusively intended for 5G, including 700 MHz, 3.6 GHz, and 1800 MHz (DSS). For non-standalone 5G (5G NSA), these frequencies will be combined with available 4G/LTE frequencies. As more spectrum is allocated for 5G in the future, the available bandwidth is expected to increase.
To access the 5G Plus services, O2 contract customers can activate the 5G Plus Pack free for 12 months through various channels such as the "My O2 App," web portal, hotline, or physical shops. Customers will need a 5G-enabled tariff, a 5G-Plus-enabled SIM card, and a compatible smartphone to experience the 5G Plus Network.
“5G Plus on the O2 network marks the beginning of a new technology era. We can sustainably connect our customers at high data rates and enable new digital applications,” said Mallik Rao, Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) of Telefonica Deutschland.
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