UK's biggest mobile provider dishes out free data boost to 41 million customers – find out if you qualify
MORE than 34 million people will receive a big boost to their mobile service this summer at no extra cost.
And it should cut down on dreaded poor connection when your phone says it has 5G.
Advertisement
3
Customers can expect better connections in certain areas
Credit: Alamy
3
Company aims to make better form of 5G available to 41million by spring 2026
Credit: Alamy
EE is unleashing the best version of 5G, known as 5G standalone, to more users across the UK.
When connected to 5G standalone you essentially receive the best form of 5G there is.
At the moment, a lot of the 5G your phone gets is actually non-standalone, which is some 4G tech mixed in with 5G upgrades, therefore connections aren't at their full speed potential.
But the BT-owned company has been making progress on replacing its kit to the full whack 5G standalone standard.
Advertisement
By the end of August, the firm says its 5G standalone network will be available to more than half of the UK population.
It claims this will make EE the UK's biggest 5G standalone network less than a year on from launch.
Some areas that have recently had the tech switched on include Carlisle, Chesterfield, Hemel Hempstead, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Gosport, Slough, Stoke-on-Trent, Sutton Coldfield and York.
But this summer, the following 38 areas will notice more reliable, speedy 5G too.
Advertisement
Aberdeen
Beverley
Blyth
Boston
Canterbury
Chippenham
Cleethorpes
Crawley
Derby
Exmouth
Great Malvern
Grimsby
Halifax
Harlow
Havant
Inverness
Ipswich
Leyland
Lichfield
Loughborough
Norwich
Paignton
Peterborough
Royal Leamington Spa
Salisbury
Shrewsbury
St Albans
St Neots
Sutton in Ashfield
Trowbridge
Wellingborough
Whitley Bay
Windsor
Winsford
Wishaw
Wokingham
Wrexham
Yeovil
EE says it is also rolling out voice over 5G standalone (Vo5G), a feature that improves voice calls with faster setup times, reducing the delay between dialling a number and the phone starting to ring.
"Whether you are video calling from a crowded train station, livestreaming on social media from a sold-out concert, or simply staying in touch with your family and friends over the summer holidays, 5G standalone on EE makes your experience smoother, faster and more secure," explained Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group.
"Delivering a high-quality mobile experience every day for millions of people is what matters to us, it's what has driven us to build the UK's most reliable network and why we're now delivering 5G standalone to more people in more places across the UK."
EE's aims to make 5G standalone available to more than 41million people by spring 2026.
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Scotsman
MG Cyberster review – electric roadster with style, speed and quirks
MG's new Cyberster is a lovely thing to behold | MG Motor This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. MG returns to its roadster roots with a striking electric convertible that's stylish, fast and surprisingly refined - Gareth Butterfield tests the new Cyberster Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When the 80-year-old British car maker MG re-emerged from a chrysalis to become the Chinese-owned MG Motor UK, there wasn't a petrolhead on the planet that wasn't drooling over the prospect of a new range of lightweight sports cars. But instead the Birmingham brand's resurrection yielded little more than some mediocre hatchbacks, and then some reasonably forgettable SUVs. But MG has been quietly improving its cars with every launch, and some of them are extremely credible options, especially the MG4. And, at long last, MG is using this momentum to launch its first two-seater sports car since the TF. Unlike the TF, which was lightweight, mid-engined, and pretty inexpensive, this new "Cyberster" is heavy, complicated, fully electric and prices start at around £55,000. Yes, that's right, you can buy a Porsche Boxster for that. It's pretty from every angle, ad bigger than it looks in images | MG Motor But the Cyberster isn't like other two-seater sports cars. The first thing to get your head around is that it's fully electric. And it's basically the first fully electric roadster we've been able to buy since Tesla appeared on the scene with a madly expensive Lotus Elise clone. And because it's electric, it's quite heavy. So it isn't really all that sporty and it's more of a grand tourer, then. More in line with a Mercedes SL, in fact. And they cost twice the price. It's also utterly gorgeous, in case you hadn't noticed. The large front end, small cockpit set back towards the rear wheels, and the abruptly squared-off rear make it look really rather British, and it has scissor doors. I don't really know why; it doesn't need them, they don't perform any useful function, but my goodness they're awesome. You'll never tire of getting in and out of the Cyberster, and electrically raising them at the touch of a button. It's absolutely lovely inside, too. There are four displays draped around the cabin, a very comfortable pair of seats, and all the materials feel plush and expensive. It couldn't be a further cry from the MG 6 that first emerged from the MG ashes back in 2011. The scissor doors are quite the party piece | MG Motor It's also very fast. There are two versions; a rear-wheel-drive Trophy with 335bhp, or a GT with all-wheel-drive and almost 500bhp. This means the GT can accelerate to 60mph in just 3.2 seconds. They each use a 77kWh battery, which gives a claimed range of 316 miles in the Trophy and 276 miles in the GT, and it's brimming with modern tech and gadgets. On the face of it, then, the Cyberster is better than we could have hoped for, as we sat salivating over news of a new MG roadster. But there are issues. The biggest issue is in the four digital displays. It all looks seriously impressive when you sink into the cabin, but it only takes a few miles of driving to realise that they're just needlessly complicated and really quite annoying. The main driver's display is fine, that's centrally mounted and easy to understand. And there's also a screen on the centre console which does a fairly complicated job of bundling in the basics, including climate control. Irritating not to have buttons, but standard fayre at the moment. Then there are two other small displays, either side of the steering wheel. They're controlled with buttons and joysticks on the wheel itself, but the menu systems - especially on the right-hand screen - are complex and fiddly. And each screen works in a different way. And each screen is obscured by the steering wheel. The interior is lovely, but the four screens are a bit of a tech overload | MG Motor It's an exercise in digital overengineering. Navigating the options on this many displays while you're driving a car with 500bhp is downright dangerous and, even when you get used to where everything is and you've built up some muscle memory, you'll still have to take your eyes off the road for a bit too long to perform basic functions and, if you do, the car's driver alertness monitoring system will tell you off. The boot's a bit small, too. Not too bad in roadster terms at 249 litres, but the floor's quite shallow. And then there's the slightly awkward fact that the Cyberster weighs the best part of two tonnes. That's becoming forgivable in hatchbacks these days, but it does not make for a sporty drive. Happily, though, the rides is terrific, and the effortless power delivery coupled with a silent drivetrain makes for rather serene cruising, even if you're pushing on a bit. This isn't a car for B-road blasting, then. But for long journeys, even with a few tasty corners thrown into the mix, it's brilliant. Drive it more sensibly and you won't just be rewarded with a pleasant journey, you'll get fairly decent efficiency too. Topping 3 mi/kWh isn't difficult in the Cyberster and, while you'd struggle to get it too high, it does mean the range is well north of 200 miles, even if you're quite lead-footed. The roof lowers at speeds of up to 60mph, which is really handy | MG Motor The Cyberster also gets MG's impressive seven-year warranty and lease deals look pretty good, so it's going to be a viable option for anyone who wants to save some money and still have some open-top fun. When MG launched the MG4 it took us all by surprise. It's a remarkably good hatchback and its popularity is well deserved. Don't expect the Cyberster to be such a familiar sight on the roads, but anyone who does buy one will be enjoying a pretty unique offering in the automotive world - an electric roadster with a gorgeous design, show-stopping doors, and a genuinely luxurious interior. It might not be the sports car we've all been waiting for, but that doesn't mean it isn't really, really good.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- North Wales Live
BT 'cut off grieving widow for 16 days and dementia sufferer told to buy an iPhone'
A grieving 70-year-old woman was without a phone line for 16 days after her husband died and a dementia sufferer was told to buy an iPhone in case of power outages, despite not knowing how to use a mobile. The "alarming" examples are among the experiences a digital skills tutor Wendy Cleaver gathered from her students in the Barmouth, Tywyn, and Harlech areas, and who had been customers of phone and broadband provider BT. In another example a retired farmer was said to be paying £355 quarter for a business line when he didn't run a business any more. They have prompted an MP to call for an independent audit of BT's processes when it comes to dealing with elderly and vulnerable customers. BT said it was "committed to supporting our vulnerable customers" but was unable to comment on the cases raised until "further details" are provided. During her community sessions, run through Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor (part of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai) Ms Cleaver helps people get to grips with new technology. She noticed some seemed to be paying higher tariffs often for services they didn't need or understand, or were having issues sorting phone or broadband packages and needed her help. "Many of my students come from the older generation, they didn't grow up with phones and computers, some were vulnerable, widowed, living alone or disabled," she said. "They didn't have the digital skills, knowledge or confidence to move between providers. Many stayed loyal to BT, a recognised name to them, some were afraid of losing their landlines. "The digital switch-over has completely confused a lot and others found it hard to understand the tech-jargon, some didn't understand the Digital Voice system". It is a technology that enables phone calls to be made over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. Ms Cleaver said: "Some were upset and worried about the amount of money they were paying for telecommunications, some seemed to be paying higher rates, whilst others were out of their depth dealing with customer support". 'Overwhelmed with jargon' In one case a pensioner who had lost her husband had contacted BT to tell them his name needed to be removed from the account and hers put on, she claimed. "She had never dealt with the finances or the technical side of things during the marriage, and the conversation with BT resulted in the account being cancelled, leaving her with no phone line for 16 days when she needed it the most, when she was grieving," Ms Cleaver explained. One gentleman had dementia, he and his wife were both over 70. They were moved to Digital Voice about two years ago. "When they said they had no alternative number in case of a power outage they were told to buy an iPhone," she said. "For two years they feared they would be cut off from the world because they didn't know how to make calls on a mobile". One woman with Parkinson's and a Medicare alarm, had been paying between £60-£70 a month for digital devices, Ms Cleaver said. She had asked for a better deal, after seeing Martin Lewis on the TV, but which had resulted in a complex situation which had taken five hours and 46 minutes of call time, with over 32 days to "unravel," Ms Cleaver added. In another case an 89-year-old disabled man with a lifeline pendant was paying on average £109 per month for just one laptop and mobile, Ms Cleaver alleged. Around 30 case studies were raised with Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville-Roberts. The MP said they showed an "alarming yet unsurprising" insight into the problems faced by many elderly and vulnerable BT customers living in south Meirionnydd. "The volume of evidence includes BT's failure to support vulnerable customers according to their needs, a lack of genuine empathy and understanding when dealing with complaints, the apparent mis-selling of products, and significant price discrepancies," she said. "It concerns me, there's no specific call handling process in place to deal with the needs of elderly and vulnerable customers. "From what constituents have told me, there seems to be scant acknowledgement of generational variations in confidence when compelled to switch from familiar technologies to new digital systems. "They tell me of being overwhelmed by jargon-filled selling practices with limited opportunity to clarify and double-check what's being offered to them. Many live on their own or haven't the confidence or knowledge to challenge BT call handlers. 'Out on a limb' "It seems that BT's ineptitude in complaint management is also having an adverse impact on customers' well-being, with many elderly constituents telling me their experiences have left them worrying about their finances. "It should be appreciated that many have little trust in BT as a provider but have remained loyal to the company for fear of losing their home telephone number or lack the skills to switch providers. "The digitisation of our communication networks has left a cohort of the population out on a limb, without sufficient recourse to challenge and question network providers who are seemingly indifferent to the needs of elderly and vulnerable customers. 'Committed to support' "Given the overwhelming nature of these complaints, surely this warrants an independent audit of BT's processes when it comes to dealing with elderly and vulnerable customers. "At every turn, the priorities of profit-making organisations seem to over-ride by default the needs of people who are dependent on the utilities they provide. This must be questioned, especially during the switch-over from analogue to digital telephone lines.''. A BT spokesperson said: 'We're committed to supporting our vulnerable customers and continue to work hard to keep them connected and supported. "We continue to run an extensive awareness campaign highlighting Digital Voice which is part of an industry-wide shift from analogue to digital landlines, this includes community advice sessions providing face to face engagement for customers in Wales. "Working with AbilityNet BT are supporting 7,000 older people and disabled adults to develop their digital skills, confidence and ability to stay safe online. "For our Welsh-speaking customers, we offer a Welsh language service, including dedicated helplines and billing options.' 'Without the information we need to look into these cases individually, we are unable to comment on these, however we welcome the opportunity to look into these if further details can be provided. "We always encourage our customers to inform us of any changes to their circumstances, so we can offer the right level of help and the most appropriate products and services. "Our guides will always try to identify specific needs when engaging with a customer, if a vulnerability is mentioned we'll ask the customer if they want it registered with us."
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
BT, EE and Plusnet announce new price rises
New BT and EE customers who sign up for broadband from July 31 will see their monthly price rise by £4 mid-way through their contract. This will come into effect on March 31 next year, then again on the same date in 2027. The previous mid-contract price rise was £3 a month. Meanwhile, Plusnet customers will also be subject to a mid-contract price rise of £4 a month from August 5. EE, BT and Plusnet mobile customers will also be hit with higher mid-contract price rises. Those who are a Sim-only or Flex Pay customer will see their contract price rise by £2.50 a month from April, while bundled handset and airtime plan customers will face a £4 rise. A BT consumer spokesman said: 'We are very supportive of Ofcom's requirement to show upfront pounds and pence charges. EE was the first provider to introduce this pricing model, offering EE customers a predictable long-term view of their contract terms. Our pricing approach is designed to be clear for our customers. 'We continue to invest in our business, building on 11 years as the best network to better serve our customers with a reliable and quality connection as we roll out the fastest speed technology to 30 million homes by the end of the decade. We're focused on providing value and customer satisfaction, making new technologies available to our customers such as 5G standalone and WiFi 7.' Ernest Doku, telecoms spokesman at said: 'In another pounding for consumers' wallets, BT, EE and Plusnet will hike mid-contract price rises to £4 per month for broadband and EE £2.50 per month for some mobile customers. 'This adds an extra £1 to mid-contract price rises for new and recontracting customers signing up from 31 July 2025 for EE and BT and 5 August 2025 for Plusnet. 'BT's price updates have often set a precedent for other providers to follow suit. If this trend continues, the telecoms industry runs the risk of creating its own, accelerated rate of inflation.' Mr Doku added: 'Based on our research, where the average BT customer pays £31.50, EE customer £29.20 and Plusnet customer £25.80 for home broadband, this represents a staggering rise of between 12.6% and 15.5% – significantly higher than current inflation of 3.6%. 'From 31 July, EE Sim-only and Flex Pay airtime mobile customers signing up for new deals will see a £2.50 monthly increase applied in March 2025. For those taking out EE's cheapest £18 per month Sim-only plan, this is the equivalent of a notable 13.8% hike. 'This change only applies to customers taking out new contracts, so if you are currently a BT, Plusnet or EE customer and your plan is up for renewal before March 2026 you should shop around for other options. Many regional broadband providers such as YouFibre and Trooli and mobile providers including Lebara and Smarty don't raise prices mid-contract.' Which? director of policy and advocacy Rocio Concha said: 'It's shocking that BT is choosing to increase its mid-contract price rises above the rate of inflation for any new customers who sign up for broadband packages from BT, EE or Plusnet from 31st July. 'Any out-of-contract BT, EE and Plusnet customers who aren't happy with these hikes should vote with their feet and switch to a cheaper deal. 'We'd always recommend carefully weighing up the total costs of any new contract to ensure it offers value for money and you're aware of any possible increases.'
