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We heard Everything Everywhere was champing at the bit to push out a 4G network in the UK before the end of 2012, but it was all subject to regulatory permission. Now it seems dear old Ofcom’s right behind EE’s plans, giving us hope we really could see a fully-fledged, proper 4G LTE network in the UK this year.
I can hardly believe what I’m hearing, but Ofcom has actually given its backing to Everything Everywhere’s plan to dump a portion of its 3G service that currently runs on the 1800MHz band for a new LTE-powered 4G service. In doing so the network will have to change its spectrum licence, but Ofcom’s all for it. In fact the only thing that stands in the way of 4G progress this year is the consultation period. Should no one object, EE will be unleashed to go ahead and roll out 4G across the country. Of course other cheesed-off networks might yet complain; it certainly would give EE a massive leg-up on the competition.
Let’s hope no one complains enough to derail this cracking plan and we actually get blazing 4G in the UK this year. It’d be leagues ahead of Ofcom’s previously speculated timescale of 2014-2015 for 4G in the UK, even if it is just limited to small pockets of the country initially. Now, where are our LTE-packing devices? I might be jumping the gun a bit, but I reckon it’s time to get some decent 4G phones, tablets and MiFis rolling in. And no, the new iPad still wouldn’t work on our LTE. [TechRadar]
Image credit: Phone mast from Shutterstock
Yes Ofcom! Do us a solid and push this through. I can’t put words to just how excited I am about this. 4G this year? Bloody marvellous.
What is the difference in performance between this and 3G? Or between this and WiFi?
There are about a bajillion reviews of 4G v 3G on the youtube. LTE is blazingly fast compared to the current 3G technology in the UK.
I hope the other networks take a leaf out of EE’s book and look at how they can roll out their 4G quicker. The only problem will be what data caps they have, if they are as restrictive as current ones, it will all be a bit of a waste.
Well, it depends on the backhaul hooked up to each tower, but 4G blows 3G totally out of the water any which way you slice it. It’s got much lower latency (20ms pings) and much faster speeds both up and down. Theoretically it’s up to 150Mbps and more, and we’ve had experience of a solid 25Mbps up and down in a weak signal area and 98Mbps in a strong one. Compared to Wi-Fi, it’s got more coverage, although you might find battery drain is higher.
Agree with you there Sam, would advise you not to get your hopes up though. While it is wonderful that Ofcom are for this, you have to consider that EE’s competitors (including our friends at O2) might want to throw a spanner in the works, not to mention the Great British Public and sensationalist media who will start screaming about lack of testing and the supposed dangers of 4G aerials soon.
Yeah I know, but one can dream right? Hopefully this is the kick that gets the ball rolling faster for a solid 2013 4G line-up in the UK.
Hey, I’m all for it, would just need to swap my GSM Nexus for a LTE one. That and attend the obligatory 4G Launch party that Giz will be arranging
Is it bad that my home broadband has a lower download speed than the 3g on my phone? Yeah, my area sucks for broadband -.-
Same deal here, maximium of 2mb down on a good day on the broadband, up to 12mb down on 3g!
I’m going to restrain from excitement until Three announce they’re going 4G, and keeping the all you can eat data
Chance of the other networks allowing Everything Everywhere a 12 months head start? Less than 0%.
The point people miss is although it seems that the USA has rolled out 4G, in reality our 3G+ has similar speeds, we have HSDPA which most American networks do not, technically most of the 4G in the States is really just 3.5G. I’m all for 4G but I’d rather have actual 4G not just services we already get re-branded as 4G.
Agree, and remember that LTE is really 3.9G.
I wonder, would it be cheaper to just have insanely fast 4G in my house, and then use a MiFi box to convert that to WiFi for things like iPod touches and iPads, or would it be cheaper to have disappointingly slow 4.5Mb WiFi on BT? I’m hoping for the former, but I guess it’ll be the latter.