Superfast 4G Network to Launch in Southampton

EE switched on its new 4G mobile internet network yesterday, to test out the supposedly 5-times faster service, before it rolls out to 16 UK cities in the next few weeks – including Southampton.

Boasting the ability to watch HD movies on-the-go, it will be far faster than the average home broadband connection – and it’s on your mobile!

The rebranded parent company of Orange and T-Mobile (formerly Everything Everywhere), anticipates reaching 70% of the UK by the end of this year, and 98% by the end of 2013. Smartphones will display ‘EE’ instead of Orange and T-Mobile, and will serve both of the companies’ customers. Our current Orange outlet in West Quay, will become an EE store – in which the company is said to be taking a more customer-friendly approach, comparative to Apple’s stores.

The network uses 4^th generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology – with a theoretical speed of 100mbps. Data limits have not yet been announced.

Olaf Swantee, chief executive officer of EE, said: “Our plans to revolutionise the UK communications market with a faster network and an exciting new brand for the digital age are built on solid investment and a simple belief that customers deserve better.

“We look forward to connecting the country with superfast mobile speeds in the coming weeks, months and years.

However, don’t get too excited, because EE has said the realistic typical maximum speed and peak speed are expected to be slightly less, at 40 and 64mbps, respectively. Furthermore, existing smartphones and tablets aren’t even compatible. However, the launch coincides with the release of the new iPhone 5, which is 4G compatible.

And this is not the only service EE is launching; the company is also planning to roll out a new fibre broadband service to prospective customers of 11 million households and businesses by the end of 2013.