EE's 4G LTE comes to 12 new markets

EE, the UK's first and currently only 4G LTE network operator, sends word that it's just flipped the switch on LTE in another twelve towns across the country.

From today, EE's 4G services are available in Aylesbury, Berkhamsted, Billericay, Blackpool, Brentwood, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Lytham St Annes, Marlow, Pontefract, Thame and Windsor. The list of new markets shows LTE spreading further into rural areas, and EE says its 4G network now covers more than 50 percent of the UK population. By the end of June, the operator says it'll have reached a further 18 markets, and aims to bring its coverage up to 70 percent of the population by the end of the year.

EE is sure to face more competition in the coming months, as rival networks launch their own 4G offerings based on the 800MHz and 2600MHz spectrum auctioned off earlier in the year. Vodafone, O2 and Three are expected to launch LTE networks of their own later this year, in some cases possibly as early as this summer.

Press release is after the break.

EE 4G GOES LIVE IN 12 MORE TOWNS ACROSS THE UK

· 4G arrives in Aylesbury, Berkhamsted, Billericay, Blackpool, Brentwood, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Lytham St Annes, Marlow, Pontefract, Thame and Windsor, delivering superfast mobile to more consumers and businesses

· Today’s launches bring total 4G connected towns and cities to 62, just six months after launch

April 30, 2013 – EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced that 4G is available in 12 more towns across the UK, bringing the total number of towns and cities covered by the superfast mobile network to 62.

Today, 4GEE is being switched on in Aylesbury, Berkhamsted, Billericay, Blackpool, Brentwood, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Lytham St Annes, Marlow, Pontefract, Thame and Windsor as roll out continues to progress ahead of schedule. 4G from EE now covers the homes and businesses of more than 50% of the UK population. By the end of June, EE is committed to launching 4G in at least another 18 towns and cities, bringing the total to 80, and aims to cover 70% of the population by the end of 2013.

Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE, said:
“Our rollout of the country’s first 4G mobile network is continuing at a great pace to ensure that we are connecting people right across the UK to one of the fastest mobile networks in the world, as quickly as possible. Consumers and businesses in the UK use mobile internet more than any other market, and rely on it for long commutes; there is a demand for the best mobile services, and we’re working to meet that demand. We’re committed to rolling out 4G to 98% of the population by the end of 2014, and that includes the double-speed 4G that will launch this summer.”

4GEE mobile customers have instant web access while travelling; they can download large files quicker than ever, watch live TV on mobiles without buffering, and play live multiplayer games on the go. Consumers and businesses have access to the UK’s widest range of 4G mobile handsets, tablets and dongles, including iPhone 5, iPad mini, Huawei Mobile Wi-Fi, Blackberry Z10, HTC One, and the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S4, all available from EE stores and ee.co.uk.

In March, EE announced a breakthrough for high-speed broadband in rural areas with the launch of 4G mobile in Cumbria. Earlier this month, EE committed to the doubling of speed and capacity on its 4G network in the UK, using its unique spectrum portfolio. Ten UK cities will see the roll out of double-speed 4G by summer. They include Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, and Sheffield.

In its first quarter financial results announcement, EE revealed that 318,000 customers signed up for 4G and more than 1,600 medium and large companies across the UK started using 4G in the first five months after launch. EE has announced a target of more than one million customers by the end of 2013.

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