O2 is going to launch a 5G test bed at The O2 Arena in North Greenwich later this year, bringing the network experience to the popular indoor entertainment venue.

The Telefonica-owned mobile network provider says it will begin installing 5G at the Arena next month, with O2 customers able to take advantage of the technology from the second half of 2018. Initially, the network will rollout across select locations at The O2, like the O2 blueroom and the O2 store at the venue, with coverage extended across the entire venture by the end of 2020.

Eventually, the test bed will be used to trial equipment and potential use cases for 5G, demonstrating virtual reality, augmented reality and live streaming, while O2 gathers feedback from customers and partners.

“The arrival of 5G technology, and the range of unprecedented benefits it will bring, will play a key role in keeping our society and the British economy moving for years to come. That’s why we are delighted to announce our plans to launch a 5G test bed at The O2 later this year,” said Mark Evans, CEO of O2.

“At O2, we are obsessive about always delivering for our customers, and this test bed is a further example of our pioneering attitude to putting our customers first and backing the importance of mobile for Britain’s future.”