Yorkshire and the Humber are poised for a significant boost in mobile coverage as EE rolls out a major upgrade to its 5G network. Bradford, Hull, Leeds, and Sheffield are among the first cities in the UK to experience this enhancement, which promises faster speeds, improved battery life, and more reliable connectivity, particularly in busy areas.
The upgrade, known as ‘5G Standalone’ (5G SA), will allow mobile phones to connect directly to a pure 5G network rather than relying on existing 4G infrastructure. This shift will result in better performance for activities like video calls, streaming, and gaming. The network will also improve connectivity in crowded locations and during major events, such as concerts and sports matches.
EE’s 5G SA network aims to provide near-uninterrupted outdoor coverage in all cities where it is launched, including key locations across Yorkshire and the Humber. The network will deliver over 95% coverage in these areas, with seamless fallback to 5G and 4G where needed.
In towns and cities where 5G SA has not yet been introduced, EE’s ‘Network Boost’ feature will help customers by providing additional capacity in busy areas, improving mobile performance.
Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, the parent company of EE, said: “5G standalone is the next evolution of our mobile network. By making it available across 15 of the UK’s largest cities from day one, we’re able to support more than 18 million people with a more reliable signal, faster mobile internet speeds, and enhanced performance for things like video streaming, content sharing and online gaming, particularly in very busy areas.”
The 5G SA upgrade will also support future services, enabling EE to dedicate parts of its network for specific uses, such as broadcasting and major events. Yorkshire customers can now access this enhanced 5G experience through EE’s new All Rounder and Full Works mobile plans.
