EE introduces a UK first: Fast Lane™ on 5G+, giving customers the edge on the UK’s best network, when the network is busiest

• EE’s Fast Lane is the UK’s first commercial network slice that gives both consumers and small businesses dedicated 5G+ connectivity at the busiest times on the network.
  
  
• Available on EE’s 5G+ network, Fast Lane builds on several successful 5G+ network slicing trials and is the newest innovation from EE since it was named the UK’s best network for the 13 ^th year in a row.¹
• The new service gives consumers and small businesses an additional boost when the network is busy, by anticipating network congestion and moving them seamlessly into EE’s dedicated Fast Lane so they can continue to stream, share and access the platforms that matter to them without slowing down.

EE has launched a UK first, Fast Lane – an advanced network feature that connects consumers and small businesses across the UK to the highest performance 5G+ lane on EE’s award-winning mobile network.

Fast Lane works by anticipating network congestion and seamlessly moving customer connections into a dedicated section of EE’s 5G+ network, so that – even when the network is busiest – they can continue to stream, share and socialise with uninterrupted speed, all on the UK’s best network.

Designed for use in high-footfall moments of the day like rush hour and major events, Fast Lane is the first service of its kind for both consumers and small businesses in the UK. It is the latest innovation built on EE’s rapidly expanding 5G+ network, which is now available to around 54 million people (78% of the UK population) across several hundred major UK towns and cities.

EE’s launch of Fast Lane follows multiple real-world trials of 5G+ network slicing over the last two years, supporting consumers and businesses at major events and iconic locations across the UK, including Wembley Stadium, Belfast Christmas Market, Sail GP in Portsmouth, this year’s EE BAFTAs, and, most recently, the Royal Welsh Show 2026.

As part of a £40 billion investment into the UK this decade, EE’s 5G+ network will be available to 99% of the population by the end of March 2030.

Claire Gillies, CEO of BT’s Consumer Division, said: “Powered by our advanced 5G+ network, Fast Lane gives our customers access to a dedicated 5G+ lane at the busiest times. Whether they’re live streaming a special moment from a sell-out gig or processing mobile payments and ticketing at a festival, Fast Lane helps keep customers connected even when thousands of people around them are trying to connect at the same time. This innovation builds on years of investment in EE’s 5G+ network and real-world network slicing trials, marking another milestone for the UK’s best network.”

“As the UK’s best network, we are committed to bringing our customers the very best in connectivity and innovation. Fast Lane is the latest example of how we’re building on that leadership with the UK’s first commercial network slice to deliver meaningful benefits to both consumers and businesses.”

Consumers can use EE’s Fast Lane to livestream, video call, post on social media, navigate, and message even when the wider mobile network is under high demand. Whether they are booking a taxi after a gig, accessing digital tickets outside at a packed stadium or sharing their location in a busy city centre, Fast Lane means they can keep moving without stress.

For businesses, connectivity is the lifeblood of commerce. Whether they are joining video calls while travelling or taking card payments on the go, with Fast Lane businesses benefit from getting to the front of the customer queue, even when they are surrounded by hundreds of competing businesses all trying to connect to the same network.

How to get in the Fast Lane

For consumers who want Fast Lane, EE is introducing Full Works Plus, a new premium pay-monthly handset plan. Available with a compatible 5G+ device, Full Works Plus includes exclusive access to Fast Lane to help them stay connected during life’s busiest moments. For just £5 more than EE’s current Full Works plan, customers also benefit from unlimited data at maximum speeds, worldwide roaming, unlimited smartwatch data, family data gifting, a premium inclusive extra, Anytime Upgrade and Network Boost.

Fast Lane is also available from today to new and re-signing small business customers that take out an EE Full Works business plan on a 5G+ compatible handset.

To help more customers understand when they are connected to EE’s 5G+ network and benefitting from advanced connectivity features like Fast Lane, eligible customers will soon start seeing a 5G+ icon appearing on their smartphones. This is already available on new and select Android devices and will be rolled out more widely on other devices later this year.

More information on Fast Lane and EE’s 5G+ network is available here.

Notes to Editors:

Customers must have a 5G+ compatible mobile plan, device, SIM, and be within a 5G+ enabled area of the UK to access Fast Lane.

¹ The UK’s most reliable network claim based on the RootMetrics® UK RootScore® Report: H1 2026. Tested at locations across the UK with the best commercially available smartphones on all national mobile networks across all available network types. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of EE. Visit ee.co.uk/claims for more details.

About BT Group

BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services.

BT Group consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals and families in the UK; Business covers companies and public services in the UK; and Openreach is an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary wholesaling fixed access infrastructure services to its customers – over 700 communications providers across the UK. BT has announced that International, which serves multinational organisations headquartered outside the UK and overseas public sector customers, will be contributed into a new joint venture, expected to complete in the second half of 2027.

British Telecommunications Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/about