Mobile network Three has confirmed it will launch its 5G network in August and plans to reach 25 UK towns and cities before the end of 2019.

The network operator said it is investing £2 billion in its infrastructure to support the new network.

5G technology is the next generation of mobile network and is expected to offer internet speeds several times that of current generation 4G.

The company has suggested its own 5G network will be the fastest in the UK, claiming peak speeds could be more than twice as fast as its rivals.

Rival operator EE launched their 5G network last week, and Vodafone is due to begin rolling out its own network at the beginning of July.

Three’s rollout will begin with a 5G home broadband service in London, before expanding to other towns and cities including Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Sunderland before the end of the year.

Three chief executive Dave Dyson said: “It’s clear that consumers and businesses want more and more data.

“We have the UK’s best network for data and we have led the market on customer usage on both 3G and 4G technologies.

“We have worked hard over a long period of time to be able to offer the best end to end 5G experience.

“5G is a game changer for Three, and of course I am excited that we will be the only operator in the UK who can offer true 5G."

Martyn Landi is Press Association Technology Correspondent.