EE 5G standalone to cover half of UK population by August

If you’re an EE customer, the mobile operator is set to hit a coverage milestone with its new 5G standalone network. This summer, the network is on track to reach more than 34 million people across the UK.

By the time the summer holidays are over, EE expects its most advanced 5G to cover over half of the UK population. That’s a massive expansion that would make it the UK’s biggest network of its kind in less than a year.

EE’s focus has been on boosting the signal in busy cities, popular holiday spots, and big venues like all the stadiums packed out with Oasis fans. And EE isn’t planning on slowing down—the goal is to reach over 41 million people with what many consider to be a “real” 5G signal by the spring of 2026.

People in places like Carlisle, Chesterfield, Stoke-on-Trent, and York have already seen their connectivity improve. Over the next month, the list gets even longer, with another 38 locations set to join them. This includes bigger hubs like Aberdeen, Derby, and Norwich, but also plenty of other towns such as Canterbury, Great Malvern, Salisbury, and Windsor.

It’s not just about faster browsing, either. Alongside the acceleration of its 5G standalone rollout, EE has also switched on Voice over 5G. The feature means that calls connect quicker – with less of that delay after you dial – and the connection should be more reliable.

So, what makes 5G standalone special? Early 5G often piggybacked on the old 4G network, but this is a brand-new system built from the ground up. This is what lets 5G truly shine. You’ll notice smoother streaming with less buffering, quicker uploads, and a much better experience when you’re gaming or on a video call. It even works better when you’re indoors.

You know when you’re at a packed concert or a busy train station and your phone’s internet just gives up? 5G standalone is built to handle that kind of pressure, with up to 100 times the capacity of 4G. It means your phone should stay reliable and fast even when you’re surrounded by thousands of other people.

The impact also goes beyond our phone screens. All this new infrastructure is expected to be a massive boost for the UK economy, potentially delivering £230 billion in productivity and new opportunities.

Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, said: “Whether you are video calling from a crowded train station, livestreaming on social media from a sold-out concert, or simply staying in touch with your family and friends over the summer holidays, 5G standalone on EE makes your experience smoother, faster, and more secure.

“Delivering a high-quality mobile experience every day for millions of people is what matters to us, it’s what has driven us to build the UK’s most reliable network and why we’re now delivering 5G standalone to more people in more places across the UK.”

The number of devices compatible with 5G standalone has shot up, with most smartphones released in the past few years from Apple, Samsung, Google, and many others all good to go.

Getting connected should be straightforward. You’ll need to be in one of the covered areas, have a compatible device, and the right kind of SIM or eSIM with your plan. The good news is that EE is making 5G standalone the standard for anyone signing up for a new plan or upgrading their phone.

(Image credit: BT Group)

See also: Ofcom targets scam calls faking UK mobile numbers

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Tags: 5G, connectivity, EE, europe, mobile, networks, telecoms, uk