Member Article

4G Lands in Yorkshire

HISTORY was made this week as EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, launched the UK’s first 4G network in Leeds and Sheffield, two of the first eleven cities to benefit from the roll out of the UK’s first ever 4G network.

What’s more,Hull is set to benefit from 4G connectivity by Christmas, meaning that Yorkshire will have more 4G connected cities than any other county. EE has already invested £28.6 million in Leeds and Sheffield.

Yorkshire is the only region where two cities have been chosen for the 4G launch, which it’s hoped could transform business operations for firms as the region recovers from the recession. In a survey commissioned by EE, nine out of 10 Sheffield-based businesses (90%) reported that they intend to rollout the superfast mobile service within 12 months, compared with 74% of businesses nationally and 66% in London.

As of yesterday, people living in Leeds and Sheffield will be among the first in the UK to experience EE’s pioneering superfast mobile service, with speeds typically five times faster than 3G, and 4G Fibre Broadband for the home and office. The service includes a range of state-of-the-art devices to ensure all customers get the most out of the superfast network.

EE plans to extend the launch to rural locations as the roll-out increases, which could boost parts of Yorkshire which are underserved by fixed-line broadband. 98% of the UK population will be covered by 4G by the end of 2014.

John McEvoy, area manager for EE in West Yorkshire, said: “This is an incredibly important step forward for theYorkshire area in terms of mobile connectivity.Yorkshire has received a significant amount of investment which shows the commitment that EE has to our region as we emerge from a recession. Everyone from large organisations and SMEs to householders are set to benefit.”

Chris Plank, senior sales assistant at the EE store on Briggate in Leeds, was one of the first in the UK to give customer, Scott Barnard, a demonstration of 4G mobile (see photo), which went live on Tuesday. Leeds and Sheffield were two of only 11 cities to be covered by the breakthrough mobile service on launch day.

EE is investing £28.6 million in its network in Leeds and Sheffield- the biggest investment outsideLondon. All 14Orangeand T-Mobile stores in Leeds and Sheffield will have a full store refurbishment to become EE stores, offering services from Orange, T-Mobile and EE from today.

EE is theUK’s most advanced digital communications company, providing mobile and fixed line services to 27 million customers, and from today, will become the first company in theUK to provide 4G mobile services, as well as Fibre Broadband.

http://ee.co.uk/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison .