EE announced new major network updates including a world first, that in conjunction with its compelling plans, benefit and services – are designed to reinforce its position as the UK’s No.1 for the latest smartphones.
Millions of people are set to benefit from faster, more reliable 5G connectivity thanks to two key upgrades, including the world-first launch of Advanced RAN Coordination (ARC) technology and the rollout of 5G standalone to 17 additional towns and cities by the end of December 2025.
EE is the first mobile operator globally to deploy ARC¹ in its distributed RAN network, a breakthrough innovation that allows nearby mobile sites to pair remotely and share capacity. The result is faster, more consistent performance without additional infrastructure, especially in busy locations such as train stations, high streets and city centres. Customers benefit from:
Up to 20% faster download speeds
Smoother video streaming
More reliable connections at peak times
ARC is already live in Manchester and Edinburgh. Throughout the next year, EE will roll out the technology to London, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Cardiff, Newcastle, Sheffield and Sunderland. Customers using the latest 5G standalone devices on iOS and Android* will see the biggest performance gains.
EE is also accelerating the rollout of its 5G standalone network, enabling more people to access the UK’s fastest, most reliable 5G.
By December 2025, customers in 17 additional towns and cities will be able to access it.
The 17 new locations are: Basildon, Bolton, Brighton & Hove, Colchester, Gloucester, Lincoln, Maidstone, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northampton, Oxford, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Reading, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, and Telford.
By spring 2026, EE aims to make 5G standalone available to over 41 million people nationwide, ensuring customers can make the most of the next generation of premium smartphones.
Customers wanting to benefit from EE’s network innovations can do so with EE’s latest smartphone plans. This includes for the first time customers who order select smartphones from the 12th September on a 36-month EE Flex-pay agreement, being given the option to Early Upgrade 12 months before the end of their term.
With EE, depending on the plan chosen, customers also benefit from:
Six months free Apple Music and Apple Arcade as well as three months free Apple TV+
The ability to connect a smart watch to their existing plan for free
A choice of additional lifetime plan extras including: Apple One (Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+), Google One AI Premium, Netflix, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and TNT Sports
Inclusive EU Roaming, with calls, text and data allowances included at no extra cost. Those on a Full Works plan will receive EE’s Roam Further Pass on top, extending their allowance to places including Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand
What’s more, those who take EE Broadband can unlock the best price on EE’s pay monthly smartphone plans as well as mobile SIMs with EE One. It could mean a saving of up to £360 a year when customers take just two SIMs.
EE also offers a suite of services designed specifically to help support smartphone users. This includes:
Simple set up with EE eSIM. Customers selecting an eSIM compatible device will now have a SIM choice at point of purchase; selecting an eSIM will give customers a seamless out of box set-up in just a few easy steps as soon as they turn on the new device – removing the need to insert a physical SIM card. EE ESIM is also available on SIM-only plans
In selected stores EE offers authorised repairs with original manufacturer parts, carried out by professionals from just 2 hours that come with the manufacturer seal of approval. So you get peace of mind knowing your warranty and personal data are safe, whatever network you’re on
Extended Warranty for the smartphone for the duration a customer has their smartphone plan with EE
Malcolm Cubitt, Director of Mobile Product at EE
As smartphones continue to evolve, so does EE. With world-first innovations like ARC and the expansion of 5G standalone, we’re unlocking smoother streaming, next-level gaming and better integration across devices. And because EE does more, our bespoke plans and services ensure customers get the very best from their smartphones, today and in the future.
