EE’s Advanced RAN Coordination: Revolutionizing 5G Connectivity

EE has unveiled a groundbreaking solution called Advanced RAN Coordination (ARC), a world-first innovation designed to tackle slow 5G speeds caused by digital gridlock. This cutting-edge technology aims to enhance customer experience by allowing mobile masts to share capacity dynamically. When one mast becomes overwhelmed with users, ARC enables it to borrow spare capacity from nearby masts in real-time. This seamless coordination helps reroute data flow to where it is needed most, promising faster and more reliable connectivity without the need for additional infrastructure.

ARC’s Early Success and Real-World Impact

The ARC system was first trialed in Bristol, where it demonstrated its potential before going live in Manchester and Edinburgh. Notably, the rollout in Edinburgh coincided with the city’s iconic Fringe and International Festivals, providing timely benefits to tens of thousands of users. Festival-goers experienced improvements in uploading videos, messaging friends, and browsing the web, even in crowded conditions where the network would typically face congestion.

According to EE, users in these high-demand areas observed download speeds that were, on average, 20 percent faster, with performance doubling in optimal conditions. The same technology has been applied to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, addressing commuters’ frustrations with dropped video calls and buffering streams while they wait for their trains. The key advantage of ARC lies in its cost-effectiveness, as the upgrade is primarily software-driven, avoiding expensive and disruptive hardware installations.

The Role of Fibre Optics and Future Rollouts

ARC leverages BT Group’s advanced fibre optic network, which delivers extremely low latency (less than half a millisecond) to enable near-instant coordination across masts. This reliance on fibre connectivity not only makes the system efficient and scalable but also ensures that users benefit from improved speeds without interruptions. The achievements of ARC are a testament to the importance of software-driven solutions in network optimization.

Over the next year, EE has ambitious plans to extend the ARC system to major cities such as London, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Belfast, among others. By spring 2026, the company aims to provide 5G connectivity enhancements to over 41 million people, further solidifying its position as an industry leader. This effort runs in parallel with EE’s expansion of its 5G Standalone (5GSA) network to 17 additional towns and cities by the end of 2025, making the latest in mobile technology accessible to a broader audience.

Industry Collaboration and Global Significance

EE’s success with ARC has been made possible through its collaboration with Ericsson, a major player in network optimization and telecom solutions. Luca Orsini, Head of Ericsson North Europe, highlighted the significance of this partnership and how innovative software solutions like ARC set a new benchmark in network performance. By utilizing existing infrastructure more efficiently, EE is not only offering superior user experiences but also setting an example for sustainable innovation.

This smarter network approach underscores the transformative potential of modern 5G technology and its ability to unlock new possibilities for businesses and consumers alike. As ARC continues to roll out, it signals the dawn of a new era in mobile connectivity, where slow speeds and dropped connections become a thing of the past.