Vodafone U.K. Confirms It Will Roll Out 4G Network This Summer

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Vodafone has confirmed that it will roll out its new 4G LTE network in the United Kingdom this summer, ready for a launch “later this year.” The move follows the carrier’s £790 million ($1.2 billion) acquisition of a chunk of 4G spectrum back in February.

EE is currently the only carrier with a 4G network in the U.K., and it has been since last October. But this year it will face new competition — not only from Vodafone, but also from O2, Three, and Niche Spectrum Ventures, a subsidiary of BT.

While most have been pretty quiet about their 4G launch plans so far, others have offered bits of information. Vodafone has now confirmed when its own 4G network will launch, and Three previously stated that its 4G network would also launch this year, and that it would come at no extra cost to subscribers.

So far Three’s plans will be the biggest concern for EE, which charges consumers a pretty hefty premium for 4G access.

According to The Next Web, Vodafone will spend £900 million ($1.37 billion) throughout the current financial year to create a “seamlessly integrated fixed and mobile network” to support its 4G rollout. It’s unclear at this point how that spend will affect the company’s 4G prices.

“For consumers, it’s another important step towards the arrival of our ultra-fast 4G service later this year,” Vodafone UK CEO Guy Laurence said. “It is also great news for the country. We’re investing in vital national infrastructure that can help play an important role in supporting growth in the wider economy.”

Via: The Next Web

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