British mobile network operator (MNO) EE has announced plans to launch what it claims will be the country’s first live trial of 5G technology. The cellco is reportedly aiming to switch on a total of ten 5G sites for trial purposes in October 2018, with these located in and around London’s Tech City. With the MNO aiming to connect five businesses and five homes as part of its trial, it has said that it will be using social media to find possible participants.
Commenting on the matter, Marc Allera, CEO of Consumer Business at EE’s parent company BT, said: ‘This live trial is a big step forward in making the benefits of 5G a reality for our customers, and in making sure that the UK is at the front of the pack for 5G technology.’ Meanwhile, Minister for Digital and Creative Industries, Margot James, added: ‘Together with the government’s own test beds and trials programme, industry initiatives like this will help deliver the benefits of this new revolutionary technology to businesses and consumers across the UK.’