T-Mobile and Orange to rollout 4G LTE in the UK this year

Everything Everywhere the company that runs T-Mobile and Orange mobile networks in the UK have details their plans to bring 4G services to the UK. They are starting with HSPA+ which will deliver faster mobile data speed (they say 50% increase in download speed) and that they plan to rollout 4G to the UK later this year.

Trials will start April in Bristol with the 1800Mhz 4G LTE network and will be the first of its kind in the UK.

Everything Everywhere announces major steps towards a 4G future

• Roll out of 3.5G HSPA+ 21, will mean faster speeds and improved network performance for T-Mobile and Orange customers
• Subject to regulatory approval by the spring, Everything Everywhere ready to roll out 4G this year
• New trial in Bristol to test 4G LTE using existing 1800MHz spectrum
• £1.5bn network evolution project progressing, with £1.4m being invested every day

Everything Everywhere, the UK’s biggest communications company, has unveiled significant progress in its network integration and evolution and outlined the path toward the roll out of 4G LTE.

The roll out of a nationwide HSPA+ (3.5G) network – the latest milestone in the company’s network evolution project – will provide 50% faster data speeds for T-Mobile and Orange mobile broadband customers. In addition, further trials of 4G technology across the country will continue to lay the foundation for a new digital backbone for Britain.

The announcements underline Everything Everywhere’s commitment to building a world class network for consumers and businesses across the UK.

Olaf Swantee, CEO at Everything Everywhere, said:

“Everything Everywhere’s vision is to launch 4G for Britain as soon as possible, and the roll out of 3.5G HSPA+ and our 4G trials across Britain are major steps towards delivering on that promise.

“The integration of the Orange and T-Mobile networks has already given our customers the widest 3G coverage in the UK – and I am pleased to say that with our advanced HSPA+ roll out they will also benefit from the fastest.

“I am also very proud to announce that, subject to regulatory approval by the spring, Everything Everywhere will be in a position to begin the roll out of 4G before the end of the year. There is a great opportunity for the UK to have the 21st Century network that it so deserves, putting the nation on a level playing field with other parts of Europe, the USA and Asia.”

via theverge