BT plans 99% UK 5G+ coverage by 2030, outpacing rivals

BT Group, through its mobile arm EE, has announced an ambitious plan to roll out its next-generation 5G Standalone (5G SA) network, branded as "5G+", aiming to cover 99% of the UK population by 2030—four years ahead of competitors. This new 5G+ technology offers ultra-low latency, sharper video streaming, smoother gaming, and stronger mobile broadband with up to 100 times more capacity than 4G, achieved through innovations like Ericsson's AIR 3284 Massive MIMO radios and over 1,500 outdoor small cells nationwide. The network also features the world's first commercial deployment of Advanced RAN Coordination, allowing mobile sites to dynamically share capacity, improving performance especially in high-demand areas. BT is urging government support through policy reforms and spectrum reviews to accelerate the rollout, emphasizing the significant economic opportunities this extensive 5G coverage can bring. The move is positioned as a game-changing upgrade from the previous generation 5G built on 4G infrastructure, promising a more reliable and high-capacity mobile experience across cities and rural areas. BT highlights the network's role in supporting iconic UK events and future technologies such as IoT devices and Voice over 5G calls.