The UK’s first 4G mobile network went live today as EE turned on its LTE networks in 11 major cities. EE, the umbrella company which owns T-Mobile and Orange, also cut the ribbon on its fibre broadband service today. 

The 4G service has gone live in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Southampton. 

Customers will face higher tariffs to use the 4G service, with two-year contracts starting at £36 for a modest 500MB a month data allowance rising to £56 a month for 8G a month. 

An EE statement said that its 4G coverage will be available in a further five cities before Christmas, with more cities and rural locations planned for 2013, and 98% of the population will be covered by the end of 2014. 

Today also marks the arrival of over 700 EE stores on high streets across the UK. Olaf Swantee, CEO at EE, said: “Today is a landmark day for our company, the UK mobile industry and, most importantly, the country’s businesses and consumers. 

“But this is just the start as our 4G network will continue to grow stronger and wider by the day. We’re investing £1.5 billion in our network to be the first company to offer mobile 4G in the UK, alongside the biggest 3G network. Combined with our Fibre Broadband and revolutionary service model we have a pioneering and unique offer to customers across the UK – superfast speeds in the home, superfast speeds on the move and expert service on nearly every high street in Britain.”

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Smarayda Christoforou

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