EE has rolled out 200 new small cells across its UK network to increase capacity in busy locations, offering customers download speeds of up to 300 Mbps.
Small cells are compact mobile radio units that improve street-level coverage where larger sites are impractical. Installed on existing street assets—such as lamp posts, CCTV columns and BT’s iconic red telephone boxes—these discreet units boost coverage and form part of EE’s continued investment to keep the UK’s best network performing well.
In collaboration with Nokia, EE applies advanced network analytics to pinpoint where small cells will most effectively enhance performance. A 4G small cell solution is deployed that aggregates multiple spectrum bands to deliver a superior user experience. EE pairs its licensed 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz bands with unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum, producing higher speeds in densely congested areas. By working with local authorities and making use of existing street furniture, EE minimizes the visual and physical impact of new equipment.
Alongside deployments in Leeds, London and Manchester, EE and Nokia have also activated these small cells in parts of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham and Scarborough. Hundreds more small cell installations are planned over the next 18 months as EE expands capacity into additional locations, including summer hotspots. EE plans to extend small cell usage to its 5G network, with trials expected to begin soon; Nokia’s AirScale portfolio supports seamless upgrades to 5G.
David Salam, Director of Mobile Networks at EE, commented: “EE has been the number one network for eight years running and we are committed to maintaining the best possible customer experience. Investment and innovation are the keys to continual network improvement, and this partnership with Nokia—to deploy small cells supporting our 4G and, in the future, 5G networks—is a strategic step to uphold our network leadership in the UK.”
Mark Atkinson, SVP, Radio Access Networks PLM at Nokia, added: “We are proud to partner with EE to deliver high-capacity small cells across the UK. Nokia’s broad portfolio of outdoor and indoor small cells brings premium 4G and 5G performance in dense urban and in-building environments. EE customers will benefit from top-tier connectivity regardless of location, and we look forward to supporting this evolution.”
EE was the first UK operator to combine licensed and unlicensed spectrum in a single 4G small cell. Using Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) lets operators leverage additional capacity in the 5 GHz band for downlink traffic to mobile devices. This approach not only increases capacity but also enhances the quality of service for key mobile functions such as video streaming.
Industry events and exhibitions continue to explore the opportunities that 5G presents. For those interested in learning more, look for upcoming conferences focused on 5G innovation and enterprise applications.