EE Set to Break 70% UK Population Coverage for 4G Mobile Broadband

Mobile operator EE (4GEE) has revealed that its “superfast” 4G (LTE at 1800MHz) based Mobile Broadband network will exceed 70% population coverage of the United Kingdom before the end of January 2014 and that 2 million customers have now joined the new service.

The increased availability and uptake of EE’s 4G network has also resulted in average data use across their network growing by 70% over the course of 2013, with social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter) and Internet video streaming services being the familiar top drivers of data demand.

Interestingly voice usage has also continued to grow, with EE’s network reporting a 25% increase during 2013. The operator currently plans to invest £275 million into its voice network during 2014.

Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE, said:

“Our 4G launch in October 2012 marked a new era for mobile users, allowing consumers and businesses to do much more on the move. We’re incredibly proud of being the first UK operator to bring 4G to the UK and, in just over a year, exceeding our target by reaching two million 4G customers across the country.

We continue to have particular success converting our existing base to 4G, with approximately two out of three new 4G customers moving over from Orange and T-Mobile plans. This year, our network priority is to deliver the benefits of superfast mobile internet to more of the UK and invent even more innovative ways for our customers to make the most of their 4G experience.”

So far EE’s 4G network has been rolled out to 160 towns and cities across the country and they remain on-target to cover 98% of the population by the end of 2014. But for us the next truly big highlight of EE’s deployment will be their forthcoming commercial launch of LTE Category 6 speeds, which could reach up to 300Mbps. This boost is set to leave the trial phase during the summer (here) and could double their current average speeds of 24-30Mbps.