EE has announced its pricing and plans for its new 4G
service, which is due to launch on Tuesday 30th October. The firm
has also announced plans for its new superfast fibre broadband service and
claim that speeds will be "typically ten times faster than today’s standard
broadband plans”.
EE are the first to offer
4G services, which can be up to five times faster than 3G, using their existing
spectrum ahead of the Ofcom auction which will allow competitors to buy up the
part of the spectrum previously used for terrestrial television services.
The company are also to develop "next-generation digital
services” such as film and "EE’s new device and digital content replacement
services”.
Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE, said: "We’re proud to be leading
the way and pioneering the roll out of 4G in the UK. With our new brand and
unique 4G and fibre services, we will deliver consumers and businesses across
the country next-generation services and a superior level of support.
"Our new plans have been developed to offer our customers
everything they have been asking for – superfast performance, choice and value
– as well as a fresh approach to pricing and customer service that offers
accessibility, flexibility and guidance every step of the way.”
Whilst the 4G service will launch "nationwide”, not all
of the country will be able to use the service as it will initially be going
live across ten UK cities, rollout to a further six is expected to take place
before Christmas.
Further cities and rural locations are expected to be rolled
out in 2013, with 98% coverage across the UK expected by the end of 2014. 4GEE
customers will also be allowed to download or stream a movie each week to their
device, with prices starting at 79p and without affecting their data allowance.
This is just as well as plans which will become available on
EE allow just 500MB of data per month, a fact which may put many consumers off
given the price of the cheapest plan at £36 per month. However, a heavy data
user can always upgrade to the higher price band which gives 8GB of data for
£56 per month.
Data caps will be put in place which alert the customer that
they are approaching their allowance limit so that they can purchase additional
data add-ons. BT Wi-Fi is included in the cost of the plans, which will give
customer unlimited use of BT hotspots.
Business customers get slightly better data allowances of
1GB with prices starting from £35 per month plus VAT.
Olaf Swantee commented: "UK Businesses have
shown considerable interest since our 4G launch intentions were announced. We
hope that our new 4G plans and services will make us the most exciting digital
communications business partner to work with in the UK.”