THE mobile network O2 has turned on more of its 5G masts across the North-East - with mobile internet speeds faster than some fibre providers.

Mobile masts in Jarrow, Blaydon, Tynemouth and Washington have this week been turned on to provide 5G speeds.

The speeds, which are gradually replacing 3G and 4G coverage in the UK, can achieve speeds up to 160mpbs according to 5G.co.uk.

O2 claims it is investing £2m a day in making improvements to its 4G network with coverage being extended to rural communities across Britain. 

Brendan O’Reilly of O2 said: “We’re excited to be switching on our 5G network in parts of Jarrow, Blaydon, Washington and Tynemouth, which will unlock the exciting benefits of next generation connectivity for customers and businesses in Tyne and Wear.

“At O2, we’re proud to be the UK’s number one mobile network for customers.

"As we continue our 5G rollout at pace we are investing around £2 million a day in our network to ensure our customers can stay connected to the people they love and businesses can survive and thrive as Britain looks to rebuild following Covid-19.”

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo reported claims Openreach staff were being subject to verbal abuse over a conspiracy theory that 5G was responsible for Covid-19.

Openreach, the UK's largest phone and broadband network, said there had been a rise in the North-East, with engineers subjected to "mindless verbal abuse and intimidation".

While in the Washington an engineer working on a fibre installation was shouted at and threatened with physical harm.

In other parts of the region, and the UK, dozens of engineers have had bottles of water thrown at them, been threatened with physical harm, and warned that the Openreach network will be damaged, as well as being subjected to a huge amount of verbal abuse, and in one case, having someone pretend to shoot at them with a gun hand gesture.

There is no evidence of any link between coronavirus and 5G and no evidence of health risks linked to the technology.