EE, which is a joint venture between two of the UK’s mobile operators, T-Mobile and Orange, launched the UK’s first 4G LTE network this week. At the moment, they are the only provider of 4G LTE in the UK, marking a significant milestone in the country’s mobile telecommunications landscape.
The other networks are working on their 4G LTE services, which are expected to launch within the next six months. Currently, EE’s 4G LTE service is only available in 11 cities, including major hubs like London, Manchester, and Birmingham. This limited availability means that while some users can enjoy the benefits of faster mobile internet speeds, many others will have to wait until the service is rolled out more broadly.
Initial Performance and Speed Tests
The guys over at The Register have been testing out EE’s new 4G LTE service, and it seems from initial tests that the speeds are good, but not anywhere near what EE has said the service is capable of. According to EE, their 4G LTE network should offer download speeds of between 8-12 Mbps, with potential peaks of up to 20 Mbps. However, The Register’s tests indicate that real-world speeds are often lower, with some users experiencing speeds closer to 6-8 Mbps.
This discrepancy between advertised and actual speeds is not uncommon in the early stages of new network rollouts. Factors such as network congestion, geographic location, and even the type of device being used can all impact performance. EE has acknowledged these issues and stated that they are working on optimizing the network to improve speeds and coverage.
Coverage and Future Expansion
One of the main challenges EE faces is expanding their 4G LTE coverage beyond the initial 11 cities. Urban areas are typically prioritized in the early stages of network rollouts due to higher population densities and greater demand for high-speed mobile internet. However, rural areas and smaller towns often lag behind, which can create a digital divide.
EE has ambitious plans to expand their 4G LTE network to cover 98% of the UK population by the end of the next year. This will involve significant investment in infrastructure, including the installation of new cell towers and upgrading existing ones. The company is also working closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth rollout.
In addition to expanding coverage, EE is also focusing on improving the overall quality of their 4G LTE service. This includes addressing issues related to network reliability and latency, which are critical for applications such as video streaming, online gaming, and real-time communication.
For those interested in the technical aspects, EE’s 4G LTE network operates on the 1800 MHz frequency band. This band was chosen because it offers a good balance between coverage and capacity, making it suitable for both urban and rural areas. However, the 1800 MHz band is also used by other services, which can sometimes lead to interference and reduced performance.
Head on over to The Register for more details on what they thought of the UK’s first 4G LTE mobile service. It looks like EE may have some work to do on the service in terms of coverage and performance, but the launch of the UK’s first 4G LTE network is undoubtedly a significant step forward. As other networks prepare to launch their own 4G LTE services, competition is expected to drive further improvements in speed, coverage, and overall quality, benefiting consumers across the UK.
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