Latest News:  
Beijing   Overcast/Moderate rain    9 / 12 ℃  City Forecast

English>>World

Britain launches first 4G mobile service in 11 cities

(Xinhua)

08:56, October 31, 2012

LONDON, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Britain's first fourth generation (4G) mobile service was launched in 11 cities on Tuesday by the operator EE.

EE, a company formally known as Everything Everywhere, said the 4G service went live in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Southampton.

The price is diversified in different plans -- 500MB of data would be charged 36 pounds (58 U.S. dollars) a month, while more elaborate plans would cost 56 pounds per month with a data allowance of 8GB.

"Today is a landmark day for our company, the UK mobile industry and, most importantly, the country's business and consumers," said Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE, in a statement.

Tuesday's launch is reportedly the first phrase of its 4G services. The network will expand by 2,000 square miles every month, both into new cities as well as providing denser coverage in existing areas.

It is claimed around three quarters of businesses are planning to adopt 4G within 12 months.

4G technology can deliver internet download speeds upto 10 times faster than 3G which helped bring the internet to mobile phones a few years ago.

EE was granted Britain's first 4G license in August by Ofcom, the regulator for British communication industries. Its rival companies such as Vodafone and O2 are waiting for a spectrum auction scheduled for early next year to launch their own 4G services in Britain.

Most viewed commentaries

World News in Photo
A glance into Pyongyang's fitness center 50th birthday: James Bond and his girls on big screen Sorry girls, the last single Crown Prince in Europe married
Breathtaking performances at Miramar Air Show Unforgettable moments you can't miss in October(I) Navratri 2012: Dancing the night away

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:朱蕤、张茜)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Band of brothers sets tone

  2. Destroyer flotilla in air defense drill

  3. Unforgettable moments in October (III)

  4. Hospitals to prevent theft of babies

  5. 50,000 gay people attended parade

  6. Airspace management reform urged

  7. Charming autumn scenery around world

  8. Creative clocks.Do you like??

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. China, US have 'unique' role for world peace
  2. Libya conflict unlikely to impact US presidential race
  3. Trade protectionism won't work for US
  4. Growth depends on reining in abuse
  5. Multi-country dialogues growing hollow
  6. Grotesque gaps in income undercut social harmony
  7. Greek exodus a lesson for China
  8. Can Chinese workers learn to take deep breaths?
  9. Fine-tuning needed for home curbs
  10. Japan should face up to wrongdoing

What’s happening in China

Temperature drops in central and eastern China

  1. Icebreaker embarks on Antarctic expedition
  2. Former legislator might be tied to fatal rail crash
  3. Uproar after hospitals turn away pregnant woman
  4. Good Samaritans get an insurance policy
  5. China blocks 169 substandard food imports