5G arrives in UK after EE switches on super-fast phone network

Speedy connections are initially available in six cities, and will spread with time

Stormzy performs at a 5G-powered gig beside Tower Bridge on the River Thames to mark the launch of 5G on EE, London (Matt Crossick/PA Wire)

EE has switched on its 5G network in the UK, letting people access the super-fast phone speeds for the first time.

It will initially be available in only a limited number of places and on a small number of phones. But the companies have promised that it will broaden out very quickly.

The phone network follows 4G and promises to offer internet speeds many times faster than its predecessor.

For now, it is launching in six cities: London, Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester. But more will follow by the end of the year, EE said.

And a number of companies offer 5G-capable phones, including Samsung, OnePlus, LG, HTC and Oppo. EE has decided not to sell Huawei's 5G models amid the ongoing dispute between the companies, and Apple is yet to release a 5G-ready handset.

During last week's 5G announcement by EE, chief executive Marc Allera said it had decided to "pause" the sale of Huawei 5G phones "until we get the information and confidence and the long-term security that our customers - when they buy those devices - are going to be supported for the lifetime that they've got the device with us".

EE is planning to reach 1,500 sites by the end of 2019, including the "busiest parts" of Bristol, Coventry, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield.

The operator celebrated the launch on Wednesday evening with a 5G-powered gig by London rapper Stormzy.

Fellow mobile operator Vodafone has confirmed it will launch 5G across seven cities in the UK on July 3, with another 12 cities to follow by the end of the year.

Additional reporting by Press Association