EE Expand UK 4G LTE Mobile Broadband Network Coverage to 72 Percent

EE (4GEE) has announced that its “superfast” 4G (LTE at 1800MHz) based Mobile Broadband (4GEE) network has now arrived in a total of 200 cities and towns (12 new additions went live this week), which means that their related network coverage (population) of the United Kingdom has expanded to 72%.

The latest 12 towns and cities to be added include: Armadale, Bishop Auckland, Brighouse, Cumbernauld, Hamilton Kirkintilloch, Larne, Newry, Peterlee, Staines, Stockton-on-Tees, Rhyl and Washington. It’s worth pointing out that such locations aren’t considered official 4GEE towns until “at least 80% of the area is covered“.

Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE, said:

“Today we switch on our 200th 4G town just 18 months after pioneering the service in the UK. We now have over 2 million customers using superfast 4G. That’s the fastest rollout and uptake of any technology in Britain, and means that the UK’s mobile digital infrastructure is now ahead of many other nations. We’re proud to have been the driving force that made that happen, but we won’t stop there.

Our continued drive to deliver 4G to more of the UK means that our customers have access to by far the biggest network in the country. Hitting this landmark highlights that 4G from EE is available wherever people need it – at home, at work, or enjoying the sunshine on the beach in Rhyl, our 200th town.”

EE’s separate 2G coverage is currently claimed to reach 99% of the population while 3G reaches 98% and 4G is expected to hit 98% by the end of 2014. Rival operators expect to hit a similar target but most will do so about one year later due to EE’s much earlier start.