Mobile carrier EE has announced it will launch its EE 5G network in the United Kingdom on May 30. The EE launch will beat rival Vodafone’s 5G rollout, which is expected to launch in early July.
EE revealed at a Wednesday morning press event that its new 5G service will run alongside its current 4G network. EE says it will not be throttling its 4G service just to make the 5G service appear faster.
Marc Allera, chief executive of EE, announced the carrier’s 5G radio equipment will be supplied by its partners Qualcomm, Samsung, Google, LG, One Plus, Oppo, HTC, and Huawei.
The 5G service is available for pre-order today, and will initially be rolling out in the UK’s four capital cities – London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast – as well as Birmingham and Manchester. Ten more cities will also see 5G later this year.
While 5G devices either are or will soon be available from a number of Android handset maker, but iPhone users will have to wait to benefit form the faster speeds, as Apple isn’t expected to launch 5G-capable iPhones until 2020.
Vodafone had announced last week it will switch on its 5G UK network on July 3.
(Via MacRumors)