EE has announced it has switched on 5G in Halifax, bringing the latest technology to more people in Yorkshire on its network.
Halifax is among 13 new towns announced by EE to receive 5G. EE has already brought its next generation mobile network to more than a dozen places across Yorkshire and The Humber, including Leeds, Huddersfield, Sheffield and Wakefield.
EE launched the UK’s first 5G service in May 2019 and has now expanded to 125 towns and cities across the UK. The mobile network operator was also today named the UK’s no.1 network for gaming. According to the latest independent testing by RootMetrics, EE’s network recorded the fastest aggregate median download speed of any network, the lowest packet loss, and the lowest jitter during Rootmetrics UK-wide testing.
Network insights from EE show increased appetite for mobile gaming. The launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in November 2020 saw peak traffic for gaming services increase by more than 50 per cent compared to the same time the month before. Mobile traffic for PlayStation alone increased almost three-fold between October and November 2020.
Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer business, said:
“Today’s recognition shows the continued investment we’re making to keep our customers connected to what matters most to them, whether that’s enjoying the latest gaming release, sharing video calls with loved ones, or online learning. Our award-winning 5G service is now available in 125 towns and cities across the UK, and our rollout continues so we can bring the best mobile experience to even more people and places.”
In addition to Halifax, the other new towns to receive EE 5G today are: Burton-upon-Trent, Cannock, Grimsby, Ipswich, Leamington Spa, Middlesbrough, Neath, Portishead, Tamworth, St Albans, Stockport and Swinton.
Liz Needleman, BT Group North of England, said:
“It’s fantastic that Halifax is the latest town in Yorkshire to receive 5G on EE’s network, bringing faster speeds and more reliable connections for people in the area.
“At a time when connectivity has never been more important to stay in touch with family and friends remotely, the arrival of 5G makes this even easier. It will also bring significant benefits for businesses, and those who rely on fast and low latency connections, such as gamers.”
Cllr Tim Swift, Leader of Calderdale Council, said:
“I am very pleased to hear about this latest investment in Calderdale, which will further improve our connectivity and supports our aspiration to be a digital borough. The Covid-19 pandemic has seen many of us switch to more digital technologies in our everyday lives. The need for digital connectivity is predicted to grow even further over the next few years and this will be important for our businesses and residents. The infrastructure to support this will be vital and 5G technology is an integral part of that.”