EE set for launch of UK’s first 5G service

EE will switch on its 5G service in six UK cities, including Birmingham, later this month, the first mobile network in the UK to do so.

People in Birmingham, London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Manchester will be first to get faster services with plans for 10 more cities to be added this year.

From today, consumers and businesses in Birmingham can pre-order the new devices, including smartphones from Samsung, OnePlus, LG, and Oppo.

EE is also announcing a 5GEE WiFi and 5GEE home broadband with pricing and availability to follow.

EE’s 5G network will be switched on in Birmingham on May 30.

EE is planning to add 100 new 5G sites each month.

That will gradually bring coverage to:
Bristol
Coventry
Leicester
Nottingham
Sheffield
Liverpool
Hull
Leeds
Newcastle

Ten more towns and cities will get services in 2020, including Aberdeen, Cambridge, Derby, Gloucester, Peterborough, Plymouth and Portsmouth.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The arrival of 5G in the West Midlands is really exciting news, and I am sure the benefits will prove to be invaluable for both residents and businesses. Not only will the super-fast network help commuters with quicker streaming of music and videos, but it will also help local businesses grow and boost their productivity.
“Being one of the first major regions to have the quick and instant connectivity of 5G will enable us to attract new businesses and economic opportunities, helping us to compete on a global stage with cities such as London and Paris.”

Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham has always been at the forefront of digital innovation. 5G is the next big tech revolution in the UK, and one Birmingham will be a leader in. It’s exciting to see how enhanced connectivity will benefit businesses, public services, and consumers while continuing to establish the city as a centre for technology innovation.”

Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer division, said: “This is the start of the UK’s 5G journey and great news for our customers that want and need the best connections. We’ve started with 5G in some of the busiest parts of the UK, the widest range of 5G devices in the UK, and plans that give customers the best mobile connection and great benefits.

“We’re adding 5G to the UK’s number one 4G network to increase reliability, increase speeds, and keep our customers connected where they need it most. 5G will create new experiences with augmented reality, make our customers’ lives easier, and help launch entirely new businesses that we haven’t even imagined. We’re upgrading more than 100 sites to 5G every month from today to connect more places to what 5G can enable.”

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