Unlike earlier versions of 5G, which still relied on older 4G infrastructure, 5G+ is a “pure” 5G service. That means faster mobile broadband, smoother streaming, quicker uploads, lower latency for gaming and video calls, and more reliable performance in busy places like stadiums and city centres. EE says the network has been designed to deliver up to 100 times more capacity than 4G, making it far better at coping with the rising number of connected devices.
The rollout is already underway. EE began offering 5G+ in 15 major UK cities in 2024 and has since expanded into more areas. In Leeds, for example, it has installed new high-capacity antennas, with hundreds more planned across the country. It has also added more than 1,500 small cell sites – miniature mobile masts that strengthen coverage in towns and cities – with recent deployments in Belfast, Bristol, Oxford, Middlesbrough, Preston and Bolton.
EE has also introduced new technology that allows nearby mobile sites to “share capacity” with one another. This should help maintain speeds when the network is under heavy demand, such as during big events.
The company is branding its Standalone network as 5G+, saying the term is easier for customers to understand than the industry jargon “5G SA”. It also urged the government to support the rollout by reforming planning rules, freeing up more spectrum and reducing the fees operators pay to use it.
For customers, this means that if you’re on EE and already have a modern 5G-ready smartphone, you may be able to access 5G+ now. Over time, as more devices support the technology, the benefits will become available to almost every household. However, EE admits that population coverage doesn’t guarantee universal coverage – rural areas and transport routes may still see patchy service without targeted upgrades.
