Ongoing investment to increase network density in launch cities to further increase availability of 4G for users across metropolitan areas
EE, the UK's only 4G network operator, today announced that 4G will be switched on in a further 17 towns and cities across the country by March 2013.
As well as investing in bringing superfast mobile to new areas around the UK, network density is being rapidly increased in existing 4G launch cities to continue to improve the speed and reach of the UK's first 4G network.
In the first three months of 2013, 4G will be launched in Bradford, Chelmsford, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Leicester, Luton, Newport, Reading, Rotherham, St Albans, Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, Watford, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton, bringing 4G coverage to approximately four million more people across the UK.
Last week, 4G was switched on in Derby, Newcastle and Nottingham; Belfast, Hull, Maidenhead and Slough will be switched on before the end of 2012. This brings the total of 4G launches in 2012 to 18, ahead of the schedule of 16.
Councillor Rory Palmer, Deputy City Mayor of Leicester, which is due to be switched on in early 2013, said: 'I am delighted that the 4G network will be going live in Leicester in early 2013. EE clearly recognises that Leicester is a city that will benefit significantly from 4G mobile coverage; superfast mobile internet will have real benefits for our residents, homes and businesses across the city.'
As well as investing in rolling out a broader, denser 4G network, EE is significantly increasing speeds on its 3G network by upgrading to DC-HSPA. By the end of 2012, this variant of 3G – the fastest available in the UK – will be live on 40% of the EE network, and accessible for EE, Orange and T-Mobile customers with a compatible handset. The top 4G LTE devices also support DC-HSPA, offering the best of both networks. HSPA+ is supported by a broad range of smartphones, tablets and dongles, and is available across the EE network. Superfast 4G mobile is approximately five times faster than 3G. 4G mobile customers will be able to access the web on the go in an instant, download large email attachments quicker than ever, watch live TV on mobiles without buffering, make high quality video calls on the move and play live multiplayer games on the go.
Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE, said: 'By the end of the first quarter of 2013, 4G will be available in 35 towns and cities across the UK, making superfast mobile accessible to thousands more customers and businesses every day. We're delighted with the progress of the 4G roll out. We are improving the network every day, delivering superfast mobile to more and more people right across metropolitan areas, whether they're using their devices outdoors or in their homes and offices. This has struck a chord with businesses in particular, with great demand being seen. We're delighted to already be powering large, medium and small businesses with 4G.'
Through ongoing investment in the 4G network, EE is not only bringing superfast speeds to more parts of the UK, but also continuing to make 4G even more widely available across metropolitan areas.
Network density is being increased on a daily basis by enabling 4G on an increasing number of masts. Engineering work continues in each area until the 4G coverage matches that of the EE 2G and 3G network. As well as increasing capacity to meet the demand from thousands of new customers signing up to 4GEE, this ensures that 4G is available throughout an entire area with strong voice and data service available indoors.
The EE network's mobile backhaul – the part of the network that connects each mast into the core network servers – is also being updated to support superfast speeds. 3G and 4G masts across the UK are being connected with Gigabit Ethernet capacity to deliver the highest standard of mobile backhaul, ensuring a great quality of experience, high speed and low latency, which is vital for applications such as multiplayer mobile gaming, and streaming of multimedia content.
EE customers have access to a wide range of mobile handsets, tablets and mobile Wi-Fi devices, including iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE, iPad mini, and Huawei Mobile Wi-Fi.
