A UK mobile giant has revealed a huge 5G internet change that will affect almost every Brit in the country.
The ambitious move means millions of customers will get faster speeds, better reliability and more secure mobile connections.
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EE, which is part of BT and based in London, has announced plans to roll out its next-generation 5G Standalone (5GSA) network, branded as “5G+”, to 99 per cent of the population by the end of 2030.
It also sets up a direct battle with Vodafone and Three, who have pledged the same target by 2034.
Earlier versions of 5G relied partly on older 4G systems.
But 5G+ is a pure, end-to-end service that delivers ultra-low latency, sharper video streaming, smoother online gaming and stronger mobile broadband.
EE says the new tech will also support future services such as Internet of Things devices and Voice over 5G calls.
The operator began launching 5G+ plans across 15 major UK cities in September 2024 and has since been expanding rapidly.
It only confirms a location once at least 95 per cent outdoor coverage is in place, ensuring a solid signal from day one.
To hit its target, EE is investing in new technology.
It has become the first European network to use Ericsson AIR 3284 Massive MIMO radio units, which are already live in Leeds and promise up to four times more upload capacity.
More than 1,500 outdoor “small cells” are now boosting coverage across the country, with 500 added in the last year alone in towns and cities such as Belfast, Bristol, Oxford, Middlesbrough, Preston and Bolton.
EE has also launched Advanced RAN Coordination, a world-first feature that allows mobile sites to link up and share capacity, dramatically improving network performance.
Howard Watson, BT’s Chief Security and Networks Officer, said:
“Government support is essential if we are to transform our ambition for nationwide 5G+ coverage – and the significant economic opportunity it brings for the UK – into reality.
“A valuable next step would be for Government to launch a Mobile Market Review.
“This could examine planning reforms to accelerate the rollout of new network equipment, to increase the availability of spectrum, and consider removing the Annual Licence Fees currently paid by operators to use spectrum.
“We should also recognise that achieving 99% 5G+ coverage, while an important milestone, will not by itself resolve every challenge around mobile coverage and capacity.
“Targeted interventions will still be required to address specific issues, such as improving connectivity along railways.”
EE says its new network has been built to handle up to 100 times more capacity than 4G.
That makes it far stronger in crowded places like busy town centres, football stadiums and railway stations, where connections often struggle under heavy demand.
Not every handset can use 5G+ yet, but many modern smartphones already support it on EE’s network.
As more people upgrade their devices over the next few years, the number of users able to take advantage will soar.
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