BT's EE launches 5G standalone network and next-gen Wi-Fi 7 router

• EE launches brand new 5G standalone mobile network across the UK and reveals new Wi-Fi 7 Smart Hub Pro, to offer customers the best outdoor * and * indoor coverage.
• An AI network built for the AI generation, 5G standalone is now live across 15 major cities and immediately available as part of a new suite of pay monthly mobile plans.
• Unlimited data options across all new plans, with select packages including a unique Network Boost for busy areas and global exclusive access to premium Google AI tools, as well as inclusive roaming packages.

EE announces the launch of the UK’s newest mobile network – 5G standalone (5GSA)* – across fifteen major UK cities**. Building on a decade of mobile leadership and underpinned by the world-leading innovation of BT Group, EE’s new 5G standalone network sets a new standard for connectivity and is available across a range of handsets and new plans. EE also unveils the Smart Hub Pro and Smart WiFi Pro, ensuring home broadband customers are some of the first in the world to benefit from the latest Wi-Fi standard - Wi-Fi 7. The new networks will provide EE customers with leading connectivity in and out of the home.

Marc Allera, CEO of EE, says: *“Today, EE is launching UK firsts in network capabilities designed to unleash the huge potential of a wave of AI powered devices. *

*“5G standalone is a new mobile network giving enhanced performance to customers from day one and unlocks game-changing new services of the future. It’s been built to handle the growing range of AI-powered devices, from smartphones to laptops, tablets and more. *

*“Wi-Fi 7 for the home is another first for EE customers, giving households higher speeds and better capacity to support devices in every corner of their home. *

*“Together, these new technologies bring EE customers the best networks in and out of the home.” *

• 5G standalone: A future network, now *

5G standalone brings benefits to customers from day one. The new network, the first of its kind in the UK to offer near uninterrupted outdoor coverage in every city where it launches, will allow customers to make calls and use data in areas where it wasn’t possible before. This will deliver better gaming and video streaming performance, all over some of the fastest available speeds on a mobile network.

EE’s 5G standalone network is also being powered by the latest in AI technology, using automation to improve reliability and machine learning to reduce energy demand on the Grid, by putting mobile cells into a sleep mode when not being used. Identified as the backbone of many future services, EE’s 5G standalone network has been designed to deliver the smooth running of future AI applications, ensuring they connect seamlessly to the cloud to provide the best experience. EE is also exploring ways the new technology will overhaul how customers experience connectivity in the future, by improving latency for gaming, protecting spectrum for broadcasting or providing quality of service guarantees for businesses.

In addition, a new network feature will help improve performance in busy areas. Exclusive to some new tariffs, Network Boost will enhance performance to customers when the network is busy, by allocating more capacity to a customer, meaning they always get the best available performance.

• Transformative new pay monthly plans *

5G standalone and Network Boost are included as part of the new All Rounder and Full Works, two of the new EE plans launching today.

In all, customers can now choose from five tiers of unlimited plans, with the option of unlimited data. In addition, Essentials+, All Rounder or Full Works plans allow customers to extend this unlimited data to an existing smart watch for free. EE is also bringing back EU Roaming for these plans, 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 Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand.

Following an exclusive partnership*** and global first with Google, EE is also making Google One AI Premium available as part of EE’s Full Works line up. Google One AI Premium will help customers tackle their most complex projects with AI-powered tools.

Google One AI Premium joins Apple One, Netflix, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and TNT Sports as a plan benefit.

• Wi-Fi 7: A global first with triband for EE customers *

EE has joined forces with Qualcomm Technologies to deliver global-leading speeds and performance of home WiFi with the new WiFi 7 Smart Hub Pro and Smart WiFi Pro powered by Qualcomm’s Networking Platforms. EE Full Fibre customers will be among the first in the world to experience WiFi 7, specifically designed to meet the growing demands of a connected home, meaning better cloud gaming, AR/VR and 4K/8K video streaming.

Overall, this will allow EE customers to benefit from gigabit Wi-Fi throughout the home with faster speed, less interference, more capacity and better performance to support the many high-bandwidth activities of the future and providing them with choice based on their needs.

When used together with the new Smart Hub Pro, Smart WiFi Pro will give customers a minimum of 100Mbps connection in every room, with a money back guarantee.

What’s more, as an EE One member, EE home broadband customers unlock great value on mobile SIMs for the family. It could mean a saving of up to £372 a year when customers take just two SIMs.

The new Smart Hub Pro and Smart Wi-Fi Pro will be available with select EE Full Fibre packages and also available as an add-on to existing plans in the coming weeks.