EE has just unleashed a monster speed boost to its 5G network at no extra cost... but it all depends on where you live. The mobile network has become the first on the planet to switch on something called Advanced RAN Coordination technology, or ARC for short, and it's already making downloads up to 20% faster.

This clever new system is currently live across Manchester and Edinburgh, with more cities promised soon.

With ARC running, EE says you should notice faster downloads over 5G, especially when you're in crowded spots where networks usually struggle. It should also improve data-intensive tasks, like video streaming.

How does the new network technology work? Think of it like this — mobile masts near each other can now team up and share the workload. When one gets busy, its neighbour can take some of the strain.

EE says the system results in faster, more consistent performance over 5G without the need to add any additional masts in the local area. It's most effective in busy places where lots of people — and their devices — gather, like railway stations, high streets, sports stadiums, and packed city centres.

To unlock the perks of its redesigned 5G Standalone network, EE had to go back to the drawing board and redesign its infrastructure to create an all-new end-to-end 5G solution across large swathes of the UK

Instead of your data connection slowing to a crawl when everyone tries to use their devices at the same time, ARC should keep things running smoothly. You'll get more reliable connections during rush hour, and video streaming won't buffer as much.

ARC is already live in Manchester and Edinburgh. Throughout the next year, EE will roll out the technology to London, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Cardiff, Newcastle, Sheffield, and Sunderland. Customers using the latest 5G Standalone devices on iOS and Android will see the biggest performance gains.

Discussing the innovation, Director of Mobile Product at EE, Malcolm Cubitt said: "As smartphones continue to evolve, so does EE. With world-first innovations like ARC and the expansion of 5G standalone, we’re unlocking smoother streaming, next-level gaming and better integration across devices.

"And because EE does more, our bespoke plans and services ensure customers get the very best from their smartphones, today and in the future."

The introduction of ARC builds .

The next-generation network, which strips out all 4G components from the system, offered improved indoor coverage, lower latency connections, more reliable mobile internet, and even battery life improvements for your devices — since they wouldn't need to keep searching for the strongest signal locally in the background.

The next improvement to its rebuilt 5G network, Advanced RAN Coordination technology, will be coming to 17 additional towns and cities by the end of the year. The 17 new locations are:

EE's ambitious plans don't stop there. It wants to bring this next-generation 5G to over 41 million people across the country by spring 2026.