EE sets 2030 goal to deliver ‘5G+’ to 99% of UK population

EE plans to deliver 5G Standalone (5GSA) coverage to 99 per cent of the UK population within five years. 

The new 5GSA technology can handle up to 100 times more capacity than 4G and manage much higher demand from multiple connected devices simultaneously. EE will brand its 5GSA network as 5G+, while Vodafone is calling its equivalent service 5G Ultra.

EE is deploying Ericsson’s triple-band AIR 3284 5G units, which are said to provide up to four times more capacity. The equipment is already live at two sites in Leeds, with hundreds more installations planned before 2030.

EE operates 1,500 outdoor small cells, including 500 added in the past year. New deployments are taking place in Belfast, Bristol, Oxford, Middlesbrough, Preston, and Bolton.

The operator has also introduced Advanced RAN Coordination (ARC), which enables nearby mobile sites to share capacity dynamically, boosting network performance.

A recent report commissioned by BT and Assembly suggests that improvements in network quality could unlock up to £230 billion in economic growth for the UK.

EE says government support will be essential to achieving nationwide 5G+ coverage. BT is calling for a Mobile Market Review to explore reforms such as streamlining planning rules, expanding available spectrum, reviewing licence fees, supporting digital transformation in public services, and helping SMEs adopt digital tools.

BT said its mission is to be “the UK’s most trusted connector,” driving innovation and building infrastructure for a more digitally inclusive economy.

“With the rollout of 5G+, smarter technologies, and continued investment in innovation, we’re laying the groundwork for a more connected, more prosperous UK,” the company said.