- EE’s 5G standalone (SA) network has completed testing and is ready for commercial scaling
- The upgrade promises latency under 10ms and lays groundwork for advanced applications like autonomous vehicles
What happened: A perfect losing streak
EE has confirmed its 5G standalone (SA) network is now technically prepared for mass deployment, as reported by Computer Weekly. The BT-owned operator has been testing the infrastructure since 2023 across 20 major UK cities, achieving consistent latency below 10 milliseconds – a critical threshold for industrial applications.
The network upgrade replaces the current non-standalone (NSA) architecture that relies on 4G core infrastructure. EE plans to begin transitioning enterprise customers first, with Ofcom data showing 38% of UK businesses currently use 5G-dependent technologies.
Also read: BT’s CEO Allison Kirkby warns AI may cut more jobs
Also read: BT to expand fibre in Swansea Bay
Why it’s important
The deployment positions the UK as Europe’s second major market after Germany with nationwide 5G SA capabilities. Unlike conventional 5G, SA networks enable network slicing – creating dedicated virtual networks for specific industries. Analysts at Omdia estimate this could generate £8.7 billion annually for UK manufacturers by 2030.
However, significant hurdles remain before widespread adoption can be achieved. Industry reports indicate only 23% of current EE 5G devices are SA-compatible, potentially requiring millions of consumers and businesses to upgrade their hardware – a costly transition that could slow initial uptake. The move also dramatically intensifies competition in the UK telecom market, with Virgin Media O2 accelerating its own SA rollout timeline to late 2025 and Three UK recently securing additional spectrum for its next-generation network.
