EE hits one million 4G users milestone in UK

Mobile operator EE claims to have signed up one million customers to its 4G services since switching on its superfast network 10 months ago.

The company said the milestone has been hit four months earlier than expected, having started its 4G rollout on 30 October 2012.

At the end of last month, the company announced that more than 100 towns and cities are now able to take advantage of 4G, as EE continues to capitalise on the head start it got from being allowed to reuse its 1800 MHz spectrum holding to launch the network.

EE's competitors, including Vodafone, O2, BT and Three, were all forced to wait until the results of the Ofcom 4G spectrum auction in February 2013 before they could launch rival offerings.

Vodafone and O2 unveiled theirs on 29 August, while Three recently announced plans to offer 4G to existing customers from December for no extra cost.

Olaf Swantee, chief executive of EE, said, since its 4G network launched, the way consumers and businesses use their mobile devices has been "transformed" in the UK.

"We have seen one of the fastest adoption rates in the world and I'm immensely proud to announce today that we have reached a significant milestone," he said.

"We know that all communities across Britain want 4G, not just those in the big urban centres, and we're committed to continuing to roll out superfast mobile at this record breaking pace.

"EE has the most attractive 4G pricing in the world and we're also gearing up to launch a new range of innovative plans, providing even more ways for people to get the fastest speeds and the best value plans," he added.