EE has kicked off its SIM-only deals -- but some customers are already talking about quitting the UK's first 4G network.
A month after launch, EE is now supplying SIM cards to put in your LTE phone, no matter where you bought it. But some customers are stuck without any service as they're unable to activate their SIM.
Other customers complain in customer forums and on Twitter that they can only make calls because of problems processing new contracts. Which is doubly galling: the whole point of signing up to EE and forking out for 4G is to take advantage of super-fast data speeds.
EE faced a few teething problems as customers switched from other networks, with some being sent the wrong SIM card. With any new service, a few problems -- while annoying to the individuals in question -- are to be expected, but as problems rumble on, some customers are threatening to ditch the new network.
The 4G network's SIM-only deals, which require you to buy a phone separately, were originally intended to launch two weeks ago. Deals are £10 cheaper than contracts that come with a phone, starting at £21 per month for 500MB of data.
Paying £26 per month gets you 1GB of data, £31 nets you 3GB, and £36 per month gives you 5GB to play with. Unlike the line-up of phone contracts, there's no 8GB option for heavier data users.
In order to sign up for a SIM-only deal, you need to buy an iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE or other 4G phone from EE or elsewhere. Your ongoing phone bill will be cheaper, but you have to pay full price for the phone itself.
Are you on EE? How's your experience of the first 4G network? Or are you considering signing up? Have the prices or the complaints put you off? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 7
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AppleRocks16 20 November, 2012 15:07
This is rediculous. Charging skyrocketing prices for measly data usage and then discovering it doesn't work properly. Sort it fast EE!
anonymous 20 November, 2012 16:01
I don't think you should be limited, i think you should get unlimited calls, texts and 3G internet and 1GB 4G. Dont know how it would work, but t-mobile manage to cut down your speed on 3G once you go over your limit, why not the same with 4G, and it downgrades to 3G once you go over?
Jonathan Morris 20 November, 2012 17:12
In the US, it's become increasingly common to offer '4G' (often 3G with DC-HSPA) speeds for a certain amount and then to reduce your data to 2G (EDGE) - thus continuing to allow unlimited data, but with a quite staggering speed cut. Elsewhere, like Scandinavia, you can consume a few gigs of data at full speed (say, 42Mbps on 3G), then get capped until the end of the month (or until you pay for a top-up/add-on) at speeds of, around, 3-6Mbps - still perfectly acceptable.
It does seem that EE's simple cut off when you hit your limit is extremely harsh, and likely to put off a considerable number of people. Those that do go ahead and sign up are likely to be rather upset when the higher speed encourages them to enjoy bandwidth-heavy services a lot more. I don't quite accept EE's argument that it's simply faster and so people won't use more data!
AkumaJack 20 November, 2012 18:29
It'll be interesting to see what happens over the next 12 months when the rest of the networks are up and running in terms of 4G because these prices are a joke and the person who came up with the idea that you'll use less because its faster....really EE?!
It comes down to two things money and power. The networks are worried that they are becoming dumb lines and people are using less mins & text messages, everything is moving toward data (calls and text messages can be done over data). It makes sense for the networks to put the price up of data if they want to carry on making the same amount of money and growth (in their eyes anyway) but these prices are insane.
There are talks of Google, and a company called Dish, are planning to open a data only network in the U.S. which would be a game changer because Google wants you to be online. We need something like this in the UK and this would be real competition to the other networks.
james79 21 November, 2012 05:34
Not a great start from EE! They should have kept orange/tmobile which are reliable-ish. Instead theyve launched new name with rediculous pricing and no unlimited data! Plus the bandwidth is and will be the worst for 4g as its not great indoors! Just stick to DC-HSPA and you will be laughing as you can keep your beloved unlimited data tarriff and still get speeds of up to 42mbps! A certain Nexus 4 springs to mind as a good option here! EE is a massive company and could easily offer unlimited data. Wait for the other networks to get 4g is my advice!
Jonathan Morris 21 November, 2012 23:44
I wouldn't sign a contract for 4G on EE, but I do think I might take the plunge next year when they launch pay as you go options. On the days when I'm working on the move, I'd pay for a very fast mobile data speed. I don't need it every single day and the current tariffs are way too high.
Another vote from me for DC-HSPA. If you can actually get one, bag a bargain Nexus 4 if it supports DC-HSPA and then get a One Plan SIM with tethering.. Sweet!
EE needs to remember it only has six months or so before it will be forced to bring down prices. Yes, the networks are going to be seen as little more than dumb pipes. That's probably why so many tariffs now try and seem competitive by offering unlimited calls and texts - most people don't care these days but it supposedly 'adds value'. When it comes to 4G, it's ALL about data - especially given the fact that when you make or receive a voice call you're made to drop down to 3G (or 2G) anyway.
Nasar Sufian 22 November, 2012 13:17
There probably isn't anyone amongst us that agrees with EE's extortionate pricing structure and meagre allowance.
By being the first network provider to offer 4G in the UK they think we are all gullible and will surrender to their hard marketing campaign and sign-up without any second thought.
How WRONG they are!
As far as I'm concerned they've lost out on a humongous opportunity.
If they got their calculations correct I'm certain there would have been a steady and gradual defection rate over to them.
What annoys me the most is that you cannot turn a street corner without seeing one of their posters!
If you go to "Elephant & Castle " roundabout (Newington Butts) there is a 12 storey (or bigger?) advertising banner draping the side of a block of flats for EE.
Then you have the Kevin Bacon TV ad.
HOW MUCH HAS ALL THIS ADVERTISING COST THEM?
Wouldn't it of made sense to spend less on advertising and put it back to reduce the cost of the tariff?
Sadly we will have to wait till Summer 2013 before the likes of O2, Three and Vodafone come on board.
Then there will be some serious competition.
When the companies start to bite at each others' neck then and only then will we as consumers start to reap the rewards.
So be patient and wait it out.
Be content with 3G and Wi-Fi for another year at least for now.................