Everything Everywhere touts a 4G rollout this year

MOBILE OPERATOR Everything Everywhere has announced that it will begin to roll out a 4G LTE network by the end of this year.

The news comes with the announcement that the firm's 3.5G HSPA+ 21Mbit/s rollout has reached 60 per cent of the country. Even faster 4G could start to be delivered by the end of the year, pending the required approval from Ofcom.

Olaf Swantee, CEO of Everything Everywhere said, "I am also very proud to announce that, subject to regulatory approval by the spring, Everything Everywhere will be in a position to begin the roll out of 4G before the end of the year."

"Everything Everywhere's vision is to launch 4G for Britain as soon as possible, and the roll out of 3.5G HSPA+ and our 4G trials across Britain are major steps towards delivering on that promise," he added.

The firm said that 3.5G gives 50 per cent faster download speeds for Orange and T-Mobile customers. Smart Signal Share will also receive 3G connectivity for both mobile operators, with completion due in May.

Trials of 4G using the 1800MHz spectrum band are due to take place in April in Bristol. This follows on from 4G trials of the 800MHz spectrum band in Cornwall last year.

Swantee said, "There is a great opportunity for the UK to have the 21st Century network that it so deserves, putting the nation on a level playing field with other parts of Europe, the USA and Asia." µ