Catenaa, Saturday, February 07, 2026-O2 and Gigaclear have rolled out new connectivity projects aimed at boosting rural access in England, delivering 5G standalone mobile service and gigabit-capable fibre broadband to previously underserved areas.
O2’s 5G SA network now covers around 380,000 residents in Dorset, including Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester, Swanage, and Christchurch.
The network, live in more than 500 locations nationwide, offers faster speeds and more reliable coverage.
O2 said the rollout supports local businesses and tourism while laying groundwork for future innovations. The network has earned recognition in recent benchmarks, including Opensignal and Umlaut Connect reports.
Meanwhile, Gigaclear connected its first full-fibre customer in Kemble, Gloucestershire, as part of the government-backed Project Gigabit program.
The initiative targets rural communities historically underserved by broadband infrastructure, providing speeds of up to 900Mbps. Gigaclear said the deployment will enable residents to work remotely, reduce commuting, and support local commerce. CEO Nathan Rundle noted the rollout will continue across 18 rural areas in Gloucestershire.
The moves follow broader rural connectivity efforts by other operators, including EE, which recently added a cell site in Penmachno, Wales, providing internet access to 600 residents.
The focus on rural deployment addresses digital inclusion challenges, with political and social incentives complementing commercial considerations. Operators are positioning these initiatives as critical to bridging the digital divide, even where immediate profitability is limited.
