UK mobile operator O2 said today it would compensate customers with phone credit, a day after a software glitch caused smartphone users to lose internet access. 

The company, which is owned by Spain's Telefonica, said it planned to credit two days of monthly airtime subscription charges for its monthly customers, by the end of January. 

The mobile operator also plans to give its prepaid customers a 10% discount and credit on top-up plans. 

O2 and Japan's Softbank, both Ericsson customers, had reported outages on their 4G networks yesterday, with many users unable to access the internet or apps that require an internet connection. 

The Swedish mobile network equipment maker later confirmed that a problem with its software was to blame for the disruption which hit operators in multiple markets and also knocked out London bus live information displays.