Canary Wharf 5G Update

EE switched on the UK’s first live trial of 5G in Canary Wharf.

22:35 10 October 2018

On October 5, EE switched on the UK’s first 5G live trial in Montgomery Square in Canary Wharf. The trial is different from Vodafone’s first test of 5G spectrum earlier this year, which took place in a lab rather than in the real world.

 

EE’s engineers have tested the network on both spectrums to send 5G signals and analyse the network’s performance in terms of speed, capacity and coverage.

Following the test, EE confirmed plans to switch on 10 more trial sites throughout east London in October. It will provide prototype 5G devices to a handful of households and businesses to help put the new network to the test

 

Vodafone is also set to begin 5G trials in seven cities – Manchester, London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham – by the end of 2018. The company has claimed that its 5G trial will be used in virtual and augmented reality in hospitals, offices, and factories. 

 

Meanwhile, O2 is installing a 5G testbed at the O2 for a series of virtual reality, augmented reality and live streaming demonstrations. The company will use LiFi, a new technology that utilises LED light bulbs to transmit data at high speeds.