Everything Everywhere has been cleared by Ofcom to launch 4G LTE services on its existing mobile spectrum, giving it the jump on competitors who have to wait till 2013.
This means that Everything Everywhere (EE), which runs T-Mobile and Orange in the UK, will be able to launch 4G later this year, instead of in 2013 as originally expected.
This now means that EE can refarm its existing 1800Mhz spectrum, which is being used for old 2G and 3G services to provide 4G LTE services, as Ofcom decreed that "EE's 1800 MHz licences now will deliver significant benefits to consumers, and that there is no material risk that those benefits will be outweighed by a distortion of competition."
EE has been issued a license that takes effect from 11 September, although the decision remains a commercial one - the company hasn't specified a date beyond 'later this year.'
"Ofcom's decision to make 4G available this year is great news for the UK. Consumers will soon be able to benefit from the much greater mobile speeds that 4G will deliver. 4G will drive investment, employment and innovation and we look forward to making it available later this year, delivering superfast mobile broadband to the UK," said an EE spokesperson.