5G mobile coverage in Birmingham boosted through major upgrade to EE’s network

Birmingham is set to experience improved 5G mobile coverage following a significant upgrade to EE’s network.

Residents of Birmingham will be among the first in the UK to benefit from this upgrade, which promises faster speeds, enhanced phone battery life, and more reliable connectivity, particularly in high-traffic locations.

This upgrade, referred to as ‘5G standalone’, will allow phones to connect directly to an all-new, pure 5G network, bypassing the current 4G infrastructure. This shift will lead to improved 5G performance, providing a smoother experience for video calls, streaming, and gaming.

The upgrade will also enhance mobile connectivity in busy parts of the city and during large-scale events such as concerts and sports fixtures.

EE’s 5G standalone (5G SA) network is the first in the UK to offer near uninterrupted outdoor coverage in every city it launches. It will provide over 95% coverage in the 15 cities announced, including Birmingham, with seamless fallback to 5G and 4G in areas where the new network isn’t yet available.

Although EE is rapidly rolling out its 5G standalone connectivity, in towns and cities where it has not yet arrived, customers will still benefit from a new ‘Network Boost’ feature. This feature allocates additional capacity to prioritise mobile performance in busy areas.

Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, EE’s parent company, stated, “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.”

McCall also highlighted how this new network will serve as the foundation for future connected experiences over secure and private networks for local businesses and public services.

Starting today, the new network will enable customers to use mobile data in regions previously underserved, with voice calls expected to follow soon. Additionally, the 5G network upgrade will support future services, allowing EE’s mobile network to be dedicated to specific needs, such as broadcasting or major events.

EE customers can now access the 5G standalone network through their new All Rounder and Full Works mobile plans, which are available for subscription.