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With the flick of a switch, EE has unleashed an upgraded 5G network to 18 million people across the UK.
Starting today, EE customers across fifteen major UK cities will be able to switch over to a next-generation network, which the company claims will unlock faster download speeds, better coverage indoors, and improve the battery life on your smartphone and tablet.
Known as 5G Standalone, or 5GSA, the BT-owned mobile provider has rebuilt its 5G infrastructure from the ground-up to begin deploying this cutting-edge new wireless technology. According to EE, the benefits of using 5GSA are as follows...
5G Standalone from EE isn't available nationwide, but will be expanding over time. At launch, September 5, the next-generation network will be accessible in 15 major cities home to around 18 million people
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As it stands, EE customers' devices will frequently bounce between 5G and 4G, depending on the coverage. As the name suggests, EE 5GSA is a completely separate network that uses the latest 5G wireless standard end-to-end.
It's the consistency of this new connection that will improve battery life, since there's no need for your smartphone to switch between 4G and 5G networks in the background throughout the day.
By removing older 4G architecture entirely from the EE 5GSA network, you'll be able to expect better consistency in mobile download speeds as you move outdoors to indoors.
Speaking to the PA news agency, EE CEO Marc Allera revealed that, over time, the new end-to-end 5G network would start to get more “intelligent” and be able to adapt automatically to how it was being used.
"It’s starting to get really intelligent, so it knows when you’re using AI tools so the network can adapt its connection to when you’re using AI or when you’re gaming — that’s the next generation," he said. "We call it a service-aware network. Rather than just giving you access to data, its now knowing and understanding what you’re using it for, and how can it adapt and give you that tailored experience."
To unlock all of these benefits, you'll need a newer EE SIM card that supports this re-engineered 5G network. EE says its included the underlying technology in its SIM cards for some time, so if you've recently upgraded to a newer plan, it's possible you won't need to request a new one. Of course, compatible handsets with eSIM will be able to jump over to the new standalone 5G network immediately.
EE CEO Marc Allera announced the new innovations at the BT Head Office in East London
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Prices for SIM-only plans compatible with the next-generation 5GSA standard start from £42 per month. For that, you'll get the Unlimited All-Rounder bundle, which comes with unlimited mobile data allowance — so you'll never need to worry about running out of 5G data when streaming video, games, or songs on-the-move, smartwatch data inclusive (something that usually costs an extra £7 every month), EU roaming at no extra cost — something that EE ditched from all of its new SIM-only plans three years ago, and one Inclusive Extra.
These perks include the likes of a Netflix subscription or Google One.
If you're already with EE for your home broadband, including its record-breaking new Wi-Fi 7 packages, you'll unlock £20 off bills every month.
EE is starting with 15 cities nationwide, which are home to around 18 million people, with more to follow in the coming months. If you want to connect to this next-generation 5G network, you'll need to be based in...
You'll need to own a smartphone, laptop, or tablet that supports this 5G standalone standard. EE isn't offering 5GSA as a free upgrade, you'll need to upgrade to a new pay monthly or SIM-only plan. To celebrate the launch of this end-to-end 5G upgrade, EE has launched a number of new tariffs with never-before-seen perks.
There are five separate tiers coming from EE that'll unlock 5GSA, with the option of unlimited mobile data. For the first time, Essentials+, All Rounder, and Full Works plans will let EE customers extend downloads over mobile networks to a smartwatch at no extra cost.
EE is also bringing back EU Roaming for these plans, with calls, text and data allowances included at no extra cost. That's upgraded with the Full Works plan, which enjoys EE’s Roam Further Pass too, which extends this unlimited allowance to Australia, United States of America, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand.
Alongside its existing Apple One bundle, EE has partnered with Google for global first — the Google One AI Premium plan, which is now included as part of EE’s Full Works line-up. This includes a subscription to Google One AI Premium, which unlocks 2TB of cloud storage, Gemini Advanced AI chatbot, and the ability to use Gemini in Gmail and Google Docs. Google charges £18.99 for this subscription alone.
Google One AI Premium is one of a selection of perks available with these new EE plans, with other options including Netflix, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and TNT Sports, to name just a few.
Speaking about the launch, EE CEO Marc Allera said: "Today, EE is launching UK firsts in network capabilities designed to unleash the huge potential of a wave of AI powered devices.
"5G standalone is a new mobile network giving enhanced performance to customers from day one and unlocks game-changing new services of the future. It’s been built to handle the growing range of AI-powered devices, from smartphones to laptops, tablets and more."
To unlock the perks of its redesigned 5G network, EE had to go back to the drawing board and redesign its infrastructure to create an all-new end-to-end 5G solution across large swathes of the UK
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EE isn't the only UK mobile network to offer this end-to-end 5G standard data. Vodafone was the first to roll-out this next-generation 5G, starting with London, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, last summer. Unlike EE, Vodafone has decided not to charge extra for the upgrades, although you will still need to ensure you have a compatible 5GSA smartphone in your pocket.
Virgin Media O2 clinched the silver medal when it launched 5GSA across 14 cities back in February. It's now accessible in 304 towns and cities nationwide and bundled to customers at no extra cost. Three hasn't announced any plans for its end-to-end 5G upgrade.
As always, we'll need to pit these rival networks against one another to see whether there's a difference in speeds, stability, coverage indoors and outdoors, battery life improvements, and other perks. And if so, whether it's worth switching to a rival mobile operator.
