The UK mobile operator announced on Monday that its 5G SA network now covers 44 million people, representing 66% of the population. Just four months ago, the company aimed to reach over 41 million by spring 2026 showing it has already surpassed that target by a significant margin.
However, its longer-term goal of covering 99% of the UK population by 2030, announced last month, remains the more significant benchmark. This latest coverage milestone highlights that, at its current pace of 5G SA rollout, the operator is well on track to achieve that target.
In August, EE reached 50% coverage, making 5G SA available to 34 million people. In just a few months, it has expanded its footprint by 10 million. While the operator has so far focused on easier-to-reach areas, meaning the rollout may slow as it tackles more challenging locations, it remains in a strong position.
EE’s 5G+, its branded 5G service, is now live across all major UK cities and most populous towns. The operator plans to add 20 more locations before Christmas, reaching a combined population of 1.6 million, though it remains unclear whether this refers to full coverage or select areas within those locations.
EE is prioritizing the festive season, highlighting that 5G+ is available in cities hosting major Christmas markets and attractions, including Bath, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, York, Belfast, and London. In London, for example, the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Britain’s largest outdoor Christmas market, drawing around 3 million visitors now benefits from 5G SA coverage.
EE is even presenting 5G+ as an early Christmas gift for its customers.
More than half a million EE customers across the UK have seen their mobile connectivity upgraded in time for Christmas, as the operator has gifted 5G+ access to those with compatible smartphones,” the company said in its announcement.
A closer look at the details reveals that the figure refers to over 500,000 EE customers who signed up for a pay-monthly handset plan between September 2024 and March 2025.
It appears the operator has simply included 5G+ in these plans, though it’s unclear whether the customers would have received 5G+ as part of their standard plan anyway. EE confirmed that 5G+ is now available on all its pay-monthly handset plans, as well as on its Full Works and All Rounder SIM-only plans, noting that 15% of its pay-monthly customers currently access 5G+.
Overall, while it may not be a Christmas gift in the strictest sense, that is clearly the message EE is aiming to convey to its customers.
The operator also suggests that the technology will enhance customers’ Christmas shopping and other seasonal activities.
With millions travelling to visit family, shopping for gifts, and enjoying the UK’s top festive events, we’re expanding EE’s 5G+ network so the nation can enjoy its high-capacity, ultra-reliable connectivity and stay connected to what matters this Christmas,” said Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group.
EE highlighted that one of 5G+’s key advantages is the potential for network slicing, citing trials conducted at last year’s Belfast Christmas market and football matches at Wembley Stadium. However, the operator provided no new updates or timeline for when commercial network slicing services might become available.
EE will need to accelerate its efforts to stay at the forefront of differentiated connectivity services.
According to Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report, 33 mobile operators worldwide currently offer services supported by network slicing, delivering a total of 65 commercial differentiated connectivity services. While the overall number remains modest, it marks significant progress, even if mainstream adoption is not yet in full swing. The equipment maker anticipates that this trend will continue as operators transition from proof-of-concept trials to commercial deployments.
