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BT Group’s EE 5G+ network covers over 80% of UK population

Source Decision Insights Record Published October 21, 2026 Companies 4
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4 companies named across 2 categories, one of 2 articles referencing Customers. Previous coverage: Crusoe Spark to support NVIDIA DSX POD reference design (Oct 2026).

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BT Group’s EE 5G+ network now covers more than 80% of the UK population, extending its fastest mobile connectivity to more communities just over two years after launch. Customers are using 5G+ more heavily, which now carries more than 10% of all data traffic on EE’s network, double the level of a year ago. EE remains on track to reach 99% UK population coverage by the end of March 2030.

Coverage has recently extended to towns across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Over the past year, BT has introduced five-carrier aggregation to raise download speeds and an expanded rollout of ARC technology to increase capacity dynamically in busy locations. Fast Lane, launched in August as the UK’s first commercial network slice, gives consumers and small businesses dedicated 5G+ connectivity at the busiest times.

Microwave links connect mobile sites to the wider network, particularly where fibre may not be the most practical option, such as rural or semi-rural locations. BT has recently set a new benchmark by delivering its first 2.8Gbps microwave link, 40% more capacity than its previous 2Gbps benchmark. The deployment makes more effective use of EE’s existing spectrum alongside BT’s expanding fibre infrastructure.

BT is also examining how AI could make mobile networks more responsive to customer needs. Working with NVIDIA and Nokia, BT plans to bring its first AI-RAN sites online in Birmingham next year, moving the technology from laboratory testing onto the live EE network. If successful, AI-RAN could support faster data speeds and more consistent connections.

Greg McCall, Chief Security and Networks Officer, BT Group, said: “We’re seeing real momentum behind 5G+ as we progress towards our goal of 99% population coverage by 2030” and “both in the pace of our rollout and in the amount of data customers are now using over the network.” He also said: “We’re continuing to invest in making the network smarter and more responsive too, exploring technologies such as AI-RAN that could help us stay ahead of growing demand”.

BT Group is one of the biggest investors in UK infrastructure and will have invested more than £40bn in the country between 2020 and 2030. Ofcom’s latest Mobile Matters report found that EE delivered the strongest overall performance of the UK’s four mobile networks and the most consistent performance across UK nations. Plans for AI-RAN on the live network next year and 99% population coverage by 2030 remain in place.

Press release, originally published at newsroom.bt.com.

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