- Virgin Media O2 today publishes new O2 mobile data insights revealing a clear career-stage divide in commuting: early career workers (18–24s) are making 8% more trips year-on-year, while mid- and late-career workers continue to cut back.
- Overall commuting is still 2% lower than last year, underlining that hybrid working has reshaped daily life and placed the home at the heart of work, study and leisure.
- Using aggregated and anonymised O2 mobile data, the findings show how shifting movement patterns are redrawing the balance between office and home.
As schools return and workers head back to the office after the summer, new data from Virgin Media O2 reveals “The Great Office Divide” with early career workers returning in greater numbers while mid-and-late career groups continue to step back.
Younger workers return to towns
Anonymised, aggregated O2 mobile data – which looks at connections to O2 mobile masts to gain a picture of crowd movement trends around the UK* – reveals after steep falls at the end of 2024, 18-to-24 year-olds commutes rebounded strongly in early 2025. The group’s weekday trips across April to June were up 8% year-on-year, showing renewed momentum and a more regular return to commuting.
The workers who want the best of both
By contrast, mid-career professionals show the sharpest hybrid swings. Trips among 25-to-34-year-olds fell 10% year-on-year in Q2, while 35-to-44-year-olds drop 5%. The change indicates workers in their mid-20s to early 40s are the most flexible group, shifting between home and office more than others.
Late-career workers also continue to step back. Those aged 45-to-54 travelled 5% less than last year, while 55-to-64s remain below pre-2025 levels after sharp drops in December. Those aged over 65 recorded a further 5% fall, suggesting a slow but steady decline in regular commuting.
Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:
“Commuting in the UK is no longer one-size-fits-all. While younger workers are increasing their trips to the office, the trend across other age groups shows Brits are embracing hybrid routines. At Virgin Media O2, we’re proud to provide the fast, reliable connectivity that lets people work whenever and however they choose – whether they’re at home, on the move, or switching between the two. As daily routines continue to evolve, our network ensures people can stay productive, connected and entertained wherever they are.”
Virgin Media O2 is committed to upgrading its networks across the UK, to provide customers with the best experience possible, no matter where they are. This includes investing £2bn a year on its network and services to make this a reality.
