EE is switching on 5G sites in 16 UK cities in 2019, including Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Hull, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Coventry and Bristol.
EE is building 5G in the UK’s busiest places, where the power of 5G technology can really make a difference by providing a more reliable data connection even in the biggest crowds.
EE will launch with multiple smartphone partners, as well as an EE 5G Home router with external antenna, to showcase the power of 5G for broadband.
The BT Technology team is virtualising elements of the core network for 5G rollout in 2019, and is building a next generation 5G core in line with the next stage of global 5G standards, with virtualised network functions on a cloud native infrastructure, creating the basis for a smart and fully converged agile network. The BT 21CN backbone network is Petabit-class, and will ensure the future-proofed scale required to enable a world-leading 5G experience.
Jim Rodgers, chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: “This is fantastic news from EE which will bring the latest mobile technology to Belfast and further enhance the city’s credentials as a place to live, visit and do business in.
“Today’s 5G announcement from EE supports our digital strategy, investment in fibre networks, and the plans in the recently announced Belfast City Region Deal to create smart districts. This will support our growing competitive advantages in connectivity and the knowledge economy. The timing is perfect for Belfast."
Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer division, said: “Our 5G trials are going well, giving us valuable insight into both the performance of the new technology and the challenges of upgrading sites with this new equipment. We’re confident that we can bring 5G to the busiest parts of Belfast and the UK in 2019. We’ll start with the busiest ‘hotspots’, meeting the greatest demand from our customers, and keep upgrading in more places from there.”
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