EE UK Launch New Unlimited Style Reserve Mobile Data Feature

Mobile operator EE has today launched a new “Reserve Data” feature alongside their latest range of 5G ready ‘Smart’ and ‘Smart SIM’ Pay Monthly mobile plans, which will effectively enable customers to continue using internet (mobile broadband) services – at a slower speed – even if they’ve used up their allowance.

In simple terms, Reserve Data will automatically throttle the mobile broadband speeds for those who have used up all their data, although EE says your internet connection (via 4G or 5G) will still be “fast enough to access apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps and Apple Music” – until next months’ data allowance starts (or after buying or being gifted extra data).

The announcement doesn’t clarify how strong this speed restriction is, although a quick glance toward EE’s T&C’s reveals that Smart plan customers who go over their data allowance will stay connected to data, but “at a capped speed” of just 2Mbps (this also applies when roaming in the EU).

On the one hand 2Mbps is slow by modern standards, but on the other hand rival Vodafone charges £22 per month for their “Unlimited Lite” plan that also includes unlimited data, albeit at a capped speed of 2Mbps. Suffice to say that EE seem to be including Reserve Data as standard on their Smart plans and for basic mobile use that seems like very good value (we image some may just treat it like unlimited usage).

Otherwise EE added that all their new pay monthly handset plans, as well as the new Smart Sim plans, now come with 5G support as standard.

Sharon Meadows, EE’s Director of Propositions (Consumer), said:

“We want to provide as many people as possible with access to the faster speeds, greater capacity and improved latency that 5G brings – so we’ve made all our new pay monthly handset plans, as well as our new Smart Sim plans, come with 5G as standard.

When combined with inclusive Reserve Data, flexible Swappable Benefits, unlimited data, Service Packs and the option to upgrade anytime, EE’s Smart Plans really do enable customers to get the very most from their smartphone on the UK’s no. 1 mobile network.”

Elsewhere EE has also announced that their Smart Plans now enable customers to also select the new BritBox (worth £5.99 per month) video streaming service as a “Swappable Benefit“, which offers access to the biggest collection of British TV box sets.