EE has revealed fresh details about its nationwide investment to expand 5G coverage across the UK, bringing the technology to hundreds of rural communities for the first time.
Alongside this expansion, the company has announced several innovations designed to extend range, improve resilience and increase energy efficiency for mobile connectivity in the coming years.
5G rollout brings benefits to rural communities
EE’s 5G network, which already covers nearly every major UK town and city and serves over 60% of the population, is now reaching into more rural areas. Almost 500 smaller communities—including Church Stretton and Birkenshaw in England, Llandeilo and Pen-y-banc in Wales, and Tayport and Ratho in Scotland—have received their first EE 5G signal. That takes the total number of UK cities, towns and villages with EE 5G access to more than 1,000.
The rollout also brings 5G to National Parks and popular rural tourist destinations. Seasonal hotspots getting upgraded include Berwick-upon-Tweed and Windermere in England; Brecon, Dolgellau and Narberth in Wales; and Fort William in Scotland. The Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast and The Broads are among the first National Parks to receive the technology, delivering improved performance and connectivity for residents, businesses and visitors. This rural investment supports EE’s commitment to provide a 5G solution anywhere in the UK by 2028.
BT Group has announced trials of several innovative technologies intended to increase network range, reliability and energy efficiency. Key initiatives include:
- 4G over low Earth orbit satellite: BT Group has partnered with OneWeb to transmit 4G data via a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite link to connect an EE mast to the mobile core network, instead of using traditional microwave line-of-sight or fibre. This approach could connect small, ultra-remote communities, support emergency responders and disaster recovery, and enable temporary deployments such as festivals, events or construction sites.
- Airborne mobile coverage: Working with Stratospheric Platforms Ltd (SPL), BT Group is trialling a High Altitude Platform System (HAPS) at its Global Innovation Centre (Adastral Park) to beam mobile coverage from the air. If successful, this technology could unlock connectivity for the most remote locations.
- Self-powering sites: EE is close to launching its first self-powering mast using locally sourced renewable energy in Wales’ Elan Valley. Initial assessments indicate that local wind and solar generation could supply up to 90% of the site’s energy needs.
- Phased introduction of biofuels: Trials are beginning to evaluate biofuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), biogas and hydrogen in network generators to strengthen resilience. EE will initially test these solutions across 20 physical sites.
Strong 4G foundation accelerates 5G rollout
EE reports its 4G network is on track to cover 90% of the UK’s geographic landmass by the mid-2020s, supported by substantial infrastructure investment and its commitment to the Shared Rural Network (SRN). EE’s original 4G footprint extends more than 2,500 square miles beyond its nearest competitor, and the company has added new 4G coverage to nearly 50 locations each month over the past three years. The network expects to complete its 1,500th SRN upgrade in the near future.
Wi‑Fi coverage boost enhances mobile experience
EE’s Wi‑Fi coverage boost, launched last year, gives customers access to more than 150,000 Wi‑Fi hotspots located in rural and indoor settings. To date, customers have downloaded more than 350TB of data via this feature—equivalent to streaming HD television continuously for about 13 years—in places where such usage was previously difficult.
Howard Watson, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT Group, commented: “The rollout progress announced today is a critical step toward our goal of enabling a 5G connection anywhere in the UK by 2028. The strength of our underlying 4G network, helped by improvements under the Shared Rural Network, places us in a strong position to extend 5G coverage beyond major cities. As a technologist, I’m proud of BT Group’s work applying new innovations to reduce the digital divide.”
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