EE to test AI on its 5G network in Birmingham

Key Points

BT will trial AI-RAN on EE’s live network in Birmingham next year
Nvidia and Nokia are partnering with BT on the trial
EE’s 5G+ network now covers over 80% of the UK population
5G+ carries more than 10% of EE’s data traffic, double last year
New 5G+ towns include Chester, Durham, Penarth and Greenock

BT Group will switch on its first live AI-RAN sites in Birmingham next year. BT Group said it is working with Nvidia and Nokia to move the technology out of laboratory testing and onto EE’s live network for the first time.

AI-RAN applies artificial intelligence to the radio access network, which is the part of a mobile network that links phones to nearby masts.

If the trial succeeds, BT said AI-RAN could deliver faster data speeds and more consistent connections. The firm added that it would let the network respond more intelligently as customer demand changes.

BT made the announcement alongside news that EE’s 5G+ network now covers over 80% of the UK population, just over two years after launch.

5G+ now carries more than 10% of all data traffic on EE’s network, double the level of a year ago.

New 5G+ towns

The latest places to get 5G+ include:

Bicester, Chester and Durham in England
Portrush and Strabane in Northern Ireland
Neath and Penarth in Wales
Greenock, Alexandria and parts of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park in Scotland

EE remains on track to reach 99% population coverage with 5G+ by the end of March 2030, the firm said.

Over the past year, BT added five-carrier aggregation to boost download speeds on the network. It also expanded its rollout of ARC technology, which increases capacity dynamically in busy locations.

The firm launched Fast Lane in August as the UK’s first commercial network slice. It gives consumers and small businesses dedicated 5G+ connectivity at the busiest times on the network.

“We’re seeing real momentum behind 5G+ as we progress towards our goal of 99% population coverage by 2030 – both in the pace of our rollout and in the amount of data customers are now using over the network,” said Greg McCall, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT Group.

“We’re continuing to invest in making the network smarter and more responsive too, exploring technologies such as AI-RAN that could help us stay ahead of growing demand and deliver an even better experience for customers,” McCall said.

More capacity for rural masts

BT also delivered its first 2.8Gbps microwave link, 40% more capacity than its previous 2Gbps benchmark.

Microwave links connect mobile sites to the wider network, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas where fibre is not a practical option.

BT said the link makes better use of EE’s existing spectrum alongside its growing fibre network. The firm added that it provides a blueprint for future high-capacity microwave deployments as data demand grows.

BT Group said it will have invested more than £40 billion in the UK between 2020 and 2030.

Ofcom’s latest Mobile Matters report found that EE delivered the strongest overall performance of the UK’s four mobile networks. The regulator also rated it the most consistent performer across the UK nations.