Overview of O2
O2 is a major mobile network operator in the UK and part of the Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) joint venture. The O2 brand dates from 2002, when BT spun off its mobile business as mmO2 and listed it. Telefonica of Spain bought the business in 2006 and renamed it O2 UK. In June 2021 Telefonica merged O2 UK with Liberty Global's Virgin Media to form Virgin Media O2, one of the UK's largest operators with both fixed and mobile networks.
For IoT, O2 uses Telefonica's global Kite platform to supply M2M connectivity, eSIM, and global roaming to UK and multinational companies. VMO2's mobile, broadband, and TV network is the connection layer for smart-home and enterprise IoT.
O2 facts
- Founded: 2002 (formerly BT Cellnet, then mmO2, then O2)
- Headquarters: Slough, United Kingdom
- Parent: Virgin Media O2 (Telefonica and Liberty Global joint venture)
- Mobile users: about 34 million (including Virgin Mobile and others, 2024)
- Broadband users: about 5.7 million (Virgin Media broadband)
- Radio access: 4G LTE, 5G NR, NB-IoT, LTE-M
- Brands: O2 (mobile), Virgin Media (broadband and TV), Virgin Mobile (MVNO)
- IoT platform: Telefonica Kite
History and milestones
O2 goes back to Cellnet, founded in 1985 and later renamed BT Cellnet, one of the UK's earliest cellular operators. In 2002 BT spun the mobile business out as mmO2 and listed it in London. The group then covered the UK, Ireland, Germany, and other markets. mmO2 was renamed O2 in 2005. In 2006 Telefonica bought O2 UK for £17.7 billion, and O2 became a core Telefonica asset in Europe. In 2015 Telefonica planned to sell O2 UK to Li Ka-shing's Hutchison Whampoa. EU competition authorities blocked the sale.
In June 2021 Telefonica and Liberty Global closed the merger of O2 UK and Virgin Media into Virgin Media O2, with each side holding 50%. The combined company has the UK's largest mobile user base and a leading broadband network. For IoT, O2 manages global connections on Telefonica Tech's Kite platform, including connected vehicles, smart metering, and industrial IoT.
Core technical capabilities
Fixed and mobile
Virgin Media O2 joins mobile and broadband for homes and businesses
Kite
One management view for IoT devices in the UK and in other countries, on Telefonica Kite
eSIM
Remote eSIM provisioning for IoT devices deployed across countries
Virgin Media network
Cable broadband reaches most UK homes and carries high-bandwidth IoT
Network standards and coverage
| Technology | Coverage | Uses | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE | Nationwide in the UK | Primary IoT connectivity | Main network |
| 5G NR | Major cities in the UK | High-speed IoT and industrial use | Still expanding |
| NB-IoT | Main regions of the UK | Smart metering and sensors | In commercial service |
| LTE-M | Some areas of the UK | Mobile IoT devices | Expanding in stages |
Industry uses
Connected vehicles
- In-vehicle connectivity
- Fleet management
- eCall
- Remote vehicle diagnostics
Smart home
- Smart-home connectivity
- Security monitoring
- Broadband and mobile together
- OTT services
Utilities
- Smart electricity meters
- Remote water-meter reading
- Energy management
- Municipal facility monitoring
Retail and logistics
- POS connectivity
- Inventory tracking
- Cold-chain monitoring
- Supply-chain visibility
Competitive advantages
- Fixed and mobile: Virgin Media O2 combines mobile and cable broadband across many uses
- Telefonica: A global IoT platform and a Latin American network
- Scale: The UK's second-largest mobile operator, with a large user base
- Brands: O2, Virgin Media, and Virgin Mobile cover different segments
- 5G: Ongoing 5G investment for the next wave of IoT
Support
Enterprise support
- Telefonica Tech UK team
- IoT solution consulting
- Dedicated APN
- Global roaming
Platform
- Kite connection management
- SIM lifecycle management
- Real-time monitoring and alerts
- API integration
Compliance and security
- GDPR compliance
- UK cybersecurity standards
- Data-localisation options
- Encrypted transport