5G is a highly popular topic at the moment, with many industry experts beginning to test and showcase what is possible with 5G.
Companies and individuals alike are preparing themselves for a 5G launch that was previously expected in 2020, however EE are now getting ready for a full 5G launch in the UK next year!
This is much sooner than some expected, including us, which puts us at the front of the pack for 5G release across Europe.
EE is currently testing it’s 5G network and part of this project involves them testing 5G in high capacity areas and hotspots within the UK.
As a result, the first 5G trial site has been switched on at Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf. Montgomery Square is estimated by EE to have 150’000 visitors and commuters every day.
This site is the first of 11 sites that will be launched across East London as the first phase of EE’s 5G launch program. But EE isn’t the only provider that is working on releasing 5G trial sites in the UK…
O2 is beginning it’s 5G testing by using their O2 Arena as a trial site, allowing visitors to experience 5G first hand before O2 plans to release it to the rest of the UK in 2020.
Vodafone has also stated that in the coming weeks they will be launching their own test sites across the UK after the testing that took place at their laboratory in Newbury. Vodafone is trailing 5G in a few different locations. Firstly, they’re opening trial sites in seven cities across the UK including Birmingham and Manchester. They will also be launching hotspots in holiday destinations such as the Lake District in 2019.
They will be the first UK provider to launch 5G outside of any UK city, barring any surprise launches from fellow service providers.
So, what exactly does 5G data mean for us when we’re using our phones?
5G speeds can equal anything up to 1Gbps, which is around 600 times faster than the UK’s average speeds! This means a full HD film that you could usually download in a couple of hours takes just a few seconds! The much larger bandwidth that 5G offers also means that many more people can access these speeds at once.
The O2 CEO Mark Evans explains the importance of 5G to the UK very well. He stated:
For more information on what 5G can offer us – have a read of our ‘5G – The Fifth Generation’ blog.
