Virgin Media O2 has launched its 5G Standalone network (5G SA) for its business customers this week.

The carrier said its 5G SA service will be available to its business customers in 500 towns and cities across the UK.

Virgin Media O2 launched its 5G SA network in February of last year.

According to the telco, the upgrades "will unlock many of the innovative use cases associated with 5G, such as autonomous transport solutions, remote healthcare, and fully robotic factories."

5G SA will also enable network slicing, which will allow the carrier to offer dedicated services for a host of business use cases in the future.

The 5G SA network is not reliant on older mobile generations, solely uses a 5G core network, and is based on cloud.

The service increases network capacity, cuts latency, and can connect to an increased amount of connected devices.

At present, Virgin Media O2's mobile network provides 5G coverage to 75 percent of the country's population.

“The switch-on of our next-generation 5G Standalone network will make reliable, fast, on-demand connectivity a reality for our business customers. For the UK to capitalize on the benefits AI and the latest tech developments bring, high-quality network infrastructure is essential," said Jo Bertram, managing director of business and wholesale at Virgin Media O2.

"Our 5G Standalone network provides a foundation for new services like private networks and network slicing, meeting the connectivity needs of businesses today and in the future.” 

Earlier this week, Virgin Media O2 launched its 5G network at Twickenham Stadium, though confirmed to DCD that it's not 5G SA.