The EE LTE train continues to roll along, with the latest expansion to the UK's fledgling 4G network heading to a more rural setting. While many of the major cities across the UK are covered by EE's LTE service, the next expansion sees rural Cumbria receiving the high speed mobile data service.
The Northern Fells is one of the UK's most rural areas, and EE's LTE will now provide high-speed data to around 2000 people across a 100 square mile area. Speed wise EE is committing to a consistent download speed of 8-12Mbps, rising as high as 20Mbps. The launch of the service in this area follows a 4G mobile broadband trial started by EE back in May 2012. The full press release can be found after the break.
EE BRINGING 4G TO RURAL CUMBRIA
21/03/2013
EE to make high-speed 4G available for homes and businesses across much of the Northern Fells, Cumbria – one of the UK’s most rural areas – for the first time
EE to deliver benefits of 4G superfast internet access to area covering almost 100 square miles and more than 2,000 residents in the UK’s highest concentration of home workers
Rural wireless broadband service set to deliver consistent 4G speeds between 8-12Mbps
21st March, 2013 – EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced the launch of a 4G fixed and mobile broadband service in Cumbria, bringing high-speed broadband to homes and businesses in one of the UK’s most rural areas for the first time. The launch will offer many Northern Fells residents access to average upload and download speeds between 8-12Mbps, and headline speeds over 20Mbps.
The Northern Fells is an area of the UK that remains un-served by fibre or other superfast fixed technology. The launch demonstrates the ability of EE’s existing 4G network, running over 1800MHz, to offer the reach, capacity and high speeds necessary to deliver high speed broadband to rural homes and businesses. The deployment will help inform other potential 4G rollouts across rural parts of the UK.
EE is launching the service with its wide variety of existing consumer and business mobile broadband plans, starting from £15.99 per month, and will evaluate usage and behaviour to potentially develop other plans specific to rural customers. 4G home and office devices will be offered to help optimise the high-speed broadband experience for customers in one of the UK’s most rural environments. The service will cover 84% of the population across the Northern Fells by summer 2013.
EE has been running a 4G mobile broadband trial in Cumbria since May 2012. Participants of the trial saw speeds consistently in the range of 8-12 Mbps and frequent performance above 20 Mbps.
Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and Borders, commented:
“This is a major step forward for my constituents. Superfast broadband is making a massive difference to the way that people live their lives and do business. The 4G trial that started last year has already made a substantial difference to people in the Northern Fells community, and it is a hugely positive step to see this being moved to a full launch over the coming months. EE is a great British business that is investing in sharing the power of connectivity with citizens living in some of the most remote parts of the UK.”
John Grainger, Managing Director at Invest in Cumbria, said:
”Cumbria is an area that has so much to offer, with so much innovation and ambition and so many successful businesses, working locally, nationally, and on a global basis. For many years we have lobbied companies and governments to bridge the digital divide to connect Cumbria, yet a lack of investment and commitment from service providers has for too long left us technologically isolated. EE delivering high speed broadband connectivity to large parts of the Northern Fells is great progress and a big moment for us – this will be a massive benefit to the local community, changing the way we live and do business.”
Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE, said:
“Using our dedication to innovation and engineering excellence, we are overcoming the challenges of delivering rural connectivity to launch a 4G mobile broadband service in Cumbria. This is yet another big step in advancing digital communications in the UK. We’re offering one of the fastest mobile networks in the world, and are pioneering how to make superfast broadband available to homes and businesses that currently have little or no connectivity.”
