EE will start the live 5G trial network in London’s Tech City in October, connecting retail customers and businesses to 5G — for the first time.
UK’s largest mobile operator said 5G services will be switched on at 10 cellular sites around London’s Tech City – offering 5G Internet speed to five small businesses and five homes. EE will be using social media channels to find the first 5G users for trials in the UK. They will be using prototype 5G broadband devices during the trials.
The development indicates that EE 5G will not be available on smartphones for UK wireless customers. This is because 5G smartphones are not ready during this phase of 5G trials or 5G launches.
Incidentally, EE rivals including Vodafone, Three UK, O2 Telefonica, Talk Talk and Virgin Media have not spell out their 5G plans. Vodafone Group CEO recently said the telco will try to acquire 5G spectrum targeting 5G launches in 2020.
EE, a BT Group company, aims to be the first UK operator to launch 5G, and will build the new mobile technology on top of its 4G network, boasting the fastest speeds and the widest coverage.
Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer business, said: “This live trial is a big step forward in making the benefits of 5G a reality for our customers, and in making sure that the UK is at the front of the pack for 5G technology.”
