EE’s 5G launch imminent
The first launch of super-fast 5G networks in the UK will be here shortly.
While a precise date for the launch is not available, EE is positioning itself to be the first mobile network operator to roll out what will become the new mobile standard.
In its statement to shareholders, BT Group, which owns EE, announced that EE is about to “launch 5G imminently” and is on schedule to provide 5G service to 16 cities in the UK this year.
The first six cities scheduled for 5G service are Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Manchester.
The next ten cities are Bristol, Coventry, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield.
Philip Jansen, BT’s chief executive, said that the aim of the company is to make available “the best converged network” and take the lead in developing both mobile and fixed 5G networks.
EE had previously announced some of the 5G devices it will offer its customers, which include HTC 5G Mobile Smart Hub, Huawei Mate X, LG V50 ThinQ, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, Oppo Reno 5G and Samsung Galaxy S10 5G.
However, EE and BT want to do more than just increase the speed of mobile data.
Janson said that the company wanted to improve its competitiveness by ensuring that it would use the latest technology and systems to make the company more agile and efficient, which means also increasing broadband speeds.
Janson added that the company was increasing its target for 2020/21 to pass 4 million locations with ultrafast FTTP technology, an increase from its previous target of 3 million premises. The company also increased its mid-2020’s target to pass 15 million premises “if the conditions are right”, an increase from its previous target of 10 million premises.