According to BT, the innovation means “a major boost in 5G network capacity” using a total of 170 MHz of bandwidth including EE’s existing 3.4GHz channels and 3.6GHz 5G channels the network acquired in last year’s Ofcom spectrum auction.
Working in collaboration with Qualcomm at BT’s Borehamwood lab, EE used five 4G (LTE) carriers and two 5G (New Radio) paired with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform and X65 5G Modem-RF System to become the first European Network to achieve the feat of aggregating 5G across seven carriers.
David Salam, director of mobile at EE, said: “Our commitment to technology investment and innovation, coupled with our leading 5G footprint, continues to see the EE network offer and sustain the best overall 5G experience in the UK. By pooling our research expertise with Qualcomm Technologies, we have been able to further enhance the EE network and will start to deliver some of Europe’s fastest 5G speeds in our major cities.”
EE launched the UK’s first 5G network in May 2019 and last year announced its ambition to offer 5G solutions “everywhere across the UK” by 2028.
Vikrant Jain, Director, Business Development at Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., said: “We’re proud to have worked with EE to achieve such a notable milestone in the evolution of 5G technology.
“Aggregating seven (5LTE +2NR) different spectrum bands for 5G is a significant achievement and will provide enhanced customer experience. Qualcomm Technologies would like to congratulate EE as it remains at the forefront of 5G technology innovation.”
