Two Kent towns are among 21 across the UK to get next generation mobile technology on the EE network from today.

EE has switched on 5G in 21 towns and cities, including Rochester and Dartford, bringing it to more UK places than any other operator.

The rollout follows EE launches in Chatham, Gillingham and Maidstone last year.

It means 5G from EE is now live in 71 cities and large towns.

Rochester and Dartford are among the first places in Kent to receive the new technology on EE’s network, following the first sites going live in the county last year.

Also on the list are Birkenhead, Clydebank, Motherwell, Rotherham, Bath, Bransholme, Bury, Chelmsford, Cheshunt, Clevedon, Dinnington, Loughborough, Loughton, North Shields, Rugeley, Swadlincote, South Shields, Staines and Waltham Cross.

The company, part of BT Group, was the first operator to launch 5G coverage in the UK last May and has been expanding its network daily.

BT consumer division chief executive Marc Allera said: “We have 5G coverage in more places than any other operator, and remain focused on connecting even more towns and cities in 2020 and beyond to keep our customers connected in the busiest places.”

Neil Aitken, BT Group regional lead for the South East, said: “EE has rolled out 5G in two further Kent towns, meaning even more people and businesses in the area can benefit from the latest mobile technology.

“As well as providing faster speeds and more capacity, the future potential for 5G is incredible.”

Adam Bryan, chief executive of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The arrival of 5G in Rochester and Dartford is a fantastic boost.

"Digital technology is transforming every element of the way we live, and excellent connectivity is vital to our economy.

“Added to the fact that the first 5G sites were also switched on last year in Kent, we can be confident that the county is in an excellent position to reap the potential benefits of this new technology in the future.

"5G will help companies to be online and do more business, whether it is clients buying products or services more easily, to faster payments or having more mobile workforces, this important infrastructure will help local businesses to grow and increase their productivity. I’m delighted that this area is one of the first in the UK to receive 5G.”

According to independent 5G testing by RootMetrics, EE’s 5G network achieved the highest average download speed and highest 5G availability in London, Birmingham and Cardiff.