UK mobile operator EE has announced plans to convert portions of its existing 2G spectrum to 4G to boost network speed and reliability.
Over the next six months, more than 600 sites in cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff will receive upgrades. The work prepares the network for an upcoming wave of devices equipped with CAT-12 and CAT-16 modems, which can take advantage of increased bandwidth.
EE’s mobile sites currently use 20 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum alongside 35 MHz of 2.6 GHz spectrum. By refarming an additional 10 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum from 2G to 4G, the operator expects to deliver tangible improvements in both peak and sustained performance.
One notable benefit of the upgrades is a projected increase in upload speeds. EE says customers could see upload performance rise from a current peak of about 50 Mbps to as much as 100 Mbps where device and network conditions allow. Faster uploads will ease tasks such as sending large files for work or posting high-resolution videos and images to social platforms while on the move.
“Customers need to be on 4G, getting the best out of their new devices with the highest quality phone calls and the fastest mobile data speeds,” said Marc Allera, CEO of EE. “We’re converting 2G into 4G, because that’s what our customers need. So if you are choosing a new smartphone, the message is simple: there’s only one UK network that offers the best smartphone experience.”
The most spectrum in the UK
EE was the first operator to launch 4G services in the UK and continues to invest heavily in its network infrastructure. Earlier this year, BT received regulatory approval to acquire EE, creating a combined business that can offer integrated services across broadband, mobile, TV and landline.
The merger drew controversy because EE already held a large customer base and significant spectrum resources, and the combined group can offer “quad play” bundles that may change competitive dynamics in the market.
Even before the BT acquisition, EE held one of the largest spectrum portfolios among UK operators. Competitors raised concerns that additional spectrum consolidation could disadvantage smaller players.
In response, Three UK — the smallest of the main operators by subscriber count — launched the #MakeTheAirFair campaign, joined by other industry players including TalkTalk and CityFibre. The campaign urged regulator Ofcom to ensure spectrum access remains fair and competitive rather than enabling further concentration with a single operator.
Separately, regulators previously blocked a proposed merger between Three UK and O2, citing concerns that reducing the market to three major operators would weaken competition and harm consumers.
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