- EE expands 5G Standalone (SA) coverage to 40% of the UK, targeting 28 million people by March 2024.
- Network upgrade promises faster speeds and IoT readiness, positioning the UK as a 5G innovation leader.
What happened: EE accelerates 5G SA rollout
UK telecom giant EE has rapidly expanded its 5G Standalone (SA) network, now covering 40% of the population, with plans to reach 28 million people by the end of March. The next-generation network, which operates independently of existing 4G infrastructure, offers ultra-low latency, enhanced reliability, and speeds up to 2 Gbps, according to EE’s latest technical report. This rollout is part of parent company BT Group’s £1.3 billion annual investment in next-gen connectivity.
The expansion includes major cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester, alongside rural areas prioritized under the UK’s Shared Rural Network initiative. EE’s 5G SA deployment also supports emerging technologies like smart factories and autonomous vehicles, aligning with the UK government’s Digital Strategy 2030.
Why it’s important
5G Standalone networks are critical for enabling massive IoT adoption and industrial automation, sectors projected to add £150 billion annually to the UK economy by 2030. Unlike non-standalone (NSA) 5G, SA networks eliminate dependency on legacy systems, reducing latency to under 10 milliseconds—a necessity for applications like remote surgery and real-time AI analytics.
EE’s aggressive timeline positions the UK ahead of European peers like Germany and France, where SA coverage remains below 25%. However, challenges persist, including spectrum allocation disputes and rural infrastructure gaps.
Analysts warn that delays could hinder the UK’s competitiveness in global tech markets, particularly against leaders like South Korea and China, which already boast near-nationwide SA coverage.
