EE has become the first mobile operator globally to deploy Advanced RAN Coordination (ARC) technology across its distributed network, promising faster and more reliable 5G connectivity for millions of UK customers. ARC allows nearby mobile sites to dynamically pair and share capacity, improving network performance in dense urban areas without requiring new mast infrastructure.
The technology is already live in cities such as Manchester and Edinburgh, where users report average download speeds up to 20 percent faster and smoother video streaming, particularly in crowded locations like train stations and shopping districts. EE plans to extend ARC across other major cities in the next year, including London, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Cardiff, Newcastle, Sheffield, and Sunderland. The biggest performance gains will be experienced by customers using 5G standalone (5GSA) devices.
Alongside ARC, EE announced it will expand 5GSA coverage to 17 additional towns and cities by December 2025, with the goal of reaching 41 million people by spring 2026. New rollout areas include Basildon, Bolton, Brighton and Hove, Colchester, Gloucester, Lincoln, Maidstone, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northampton, Oxford, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Reading, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, and Telford.
- EE is the first operator globally to launch ARC technology.
- ARC boosts 5G reliability and delivers ~20% faster downloads.
- Deployment already live in Manchester and Edinburgh, expanding to 9 more major cities.
- 5GSA rollout to reach 17 more towns and cities by end of 2025.
- EE targets coverage for 41 million people by spring 2026.
“EE customers are the first in the world to benefit from this technology, with millions of them getting a huge boost to the 5G connectivity they rely on every day. By increasing capacity in this way, our customers will get faster speeds and an even more reliable experience instantly. It is a real game-changer,” said Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group.
🌐 Analysis: EE’s move to deploy ARC sets a new benchmark in how operators can dynamically optimize spectrum and site capacity to meet rising traffic demand without additional tower builds. The expansion of 5GSA across the UK aligns with similar pushes by Vodafone and Three, but EE’s leadership in ARC highlights its strategy to differentiate on quality of experience rather than just coverage. The pace of 5GSA adoption by device makers will be critical to realizing these performance gains.
