O2 readies for 4G switch on in London and Leeds
Telecoms provider O2 is gearing up to launch its 4G network in London and Leeds by the end of the month as it becomes the first telecoms firm to challenge EE in the putative market.
Offering consumers mobile internet access at up to 10 times the speed of 3G the service will initially be available to an estimated 5m consumers before expanding by around 2m a month to reach 13 cities by the end of the year.
4G contracts will start at £26 per month without a handset, higher than comparable tariffs at EE which start at £21 – but is hoping its Rocky Balboa inspired ‘thumbbells’ will lure custom its way.
The announcement comes ahead of a similar move by Vodafone which is expected to announce its own 4G plans later this week
EE enjoys a significant head start in the market however having already reached 60 per cent of the UK population.