How are Virgin Media O2 Boosting EV-Ready Road Connectivity?

Virgin Media O2 has upgraded 4G and 5G coverage along more than 590 miles of major UK roads, positioning connectivity at the heart of the country’s electric vehicle transition. 

The improvements span more than 40 motorways and A roads, including the M1, M4, M6 and M25, helping drivers who rely on mobile data for navigation, charging apps and emergency calls. 

The work strengthens the digital backbone of key corridors linking cities, ports and regions, across a distance roughly equivalent to driving from Exeter to Inverness.

4G and 5G expansion on strategic routes

Coverage has been improved on major stretches such as the M1 (London–Leeds), M4 (London–Bristol), M6 (Coventry–Carlisle) and Scotland’s M8 (Glasgow–Edinburgh). 

As part of the programme, 311 sites have received a 4G boost and 338 brand-new 5G sites have been built, significantly enhancing performance and reliability for road users moving between urban centres and more rural areas.

The optimisation is guided by Virgin Media O2’s drive testing programme, which measures real-world performance across the UK road network. 

These tests identify weaker spots so engineering teams can implement targeted improvements and prioritise upgrades or new sites where stronger coverage is needed most.

Virgin Media O2 plans to extend the programme with further upgrades on the A14 (Rugby–Ipswich), the M20 (London–Folkestone) and the A75 (Gretna–Stranraer), applying the same data-led approach to additional high-traffic routes.

‘Signal anxiety’ reshapes EV priorities

The rollout comes as new national polling by Virgin Media O2 shows connectivity is now a central concern for EV drivers. 

While range anxiety remains the biggest worry for non-EV drivers, with 90% citing it, those already behind the wheel of an EV say their top fear is losing mobile signal.

More than three-quarters of EV drivers worry about losing mobile connectivity, which would cut them off from maps, charger updates, location information and even the ability to pay. 

Reports show that 68% now cite range anxiety, underlining how critical reliable mobile coverage has become to both operating and charging electric vehicles.

Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2, says: “Connectivity underpins a huge part of the driving experience today, but particularly for EVs. 

“By optimising coverage on more than 40 motorways and A roads as part of our £700 million investment in our Mobile Transformation Plan, we’re helping make every journey safer and more reliable. 

“Alongside Believ’s new charging points, this is about removing barriers so more people can make the switch to electric with confidence.”

These motorway and A road upgrades sit within Virgin Media O2’s wider Mobile Transformation Plan, which is expanding 4G and 5G coverage, rolling out small cells in dense areas and addressing persistent network pain points along railways, airports and stadiums as well as on the road network.

Bringing networks and charging together

The connectivity enhancements are closely aligned with new public charging capacity being deployed by Liberty Global-backed charge point operator Believ.

Believ is installing up to 30,000 new public charging points nationwide, including in areas where Virgin Media O2 has recently strengthened mobile coverage.

Reliable mobile access is essential to how many drivers use these chargers, from locating an available unit and checking its status to authenticating and making payments in charging apps. 

Aligning high-quality 4G and 5G coverage with new charge points reduces friction for EV drivers and helps support confidence in longer, data-dependent journeys.

The integrated approach to networks and charging is reflected in Liberty Global’s broader push into EV infrastructure through Believ, which is focusing on on-street access and rapid hubs in underserved areas.

Guy Bartlett, CEO at Believ, says: “This is a brilliant example of private industry coming together with the shared purpose of helping drivers make a seamless transition to electric vehicles. 

“The enhanced connectivity is great news, giving drivers even more reason to feel confident and excited about switching to EVs.”

For the telecoms sector, the programme demonstrates how targeted 4G and 5G investment along major roads, aligned with large-scale charging deployment, can support  the services EV drivers now depend on – from navigation and real-time charging data to payments – as Britain accelerates its shift to electric.