Everything Everywhere has a new network, which it will be using to beam the UK's first ever 4G service to you. It's called EE (no, really), and we've given it the speed-test treatment ahead of its official launch in a few weeks' time. Hit play on the video above to see how it performs.
We were using the Speed Test app for Android, running on a Galaxy S3 LTE, a revised version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 that can latch onto 4G signal.
The results were very impressive. As you can see in the video, EE's 4G network manages download speeds of 39.57Mbps, and upload speeds of 23.95Mbps. That's significantly faster than many home broadband connections.
I performed the test a few times, and while one clocked in a less-mind-blowing-but-still-impressive 26.43Mbps download speed, another managed to edge the 40-meg mark at 40.05Mbps.
Will it really be that fast?
Whether you'll achieve speeds that magnificent in ordinary situations remains to be seen. There are many factors that could affect your data speeds, from network strain -- too many phones in your neighbourhood -- to your physical location. Just as 3G can sometimes feel blisteringly quick and sometimes very sluggish, actual 4G speeds will likely vary massively.
And in fact, when we tested 4G and 3G side by side, loading a web page, 4G won the first time and 3G won the second. That's a very informal test, but it still hints that 4G may not make all that much difference in the real world.
Still, the high speeds achieved in our download test are a positive early sign. We'll be testing 4G in the wild as soon as possible, so stay tuned.
How do I get 4G?
Unfortunately, getting 4G in the UK isn't terribly simple. Until the spectrum auction next year, EE will be the only network to offer 4G. If you're on Orange or T-Mobile (the networks that comprise Everything Everywhere), you'll still need to switch to new network EE.
You'll also need a phone that can handle UK 4G. Samsung, HTC, Nokia and Huawei are all making mobiles that will work over here -- check out the list so far. Here's hoping the iPhone 5 also comes with Brit LTE chops.
Are you excited for 4G? Will you pay loads of cash to get it early? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 10
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HarryMonmouth 11 September, 2012 16:52
It will be very interesting to see what it can do if you are tethering. That second race against 3g was a bit depressing but it should be able to make a big difference for tethering. Mind you perhaps EE will not allow you tethering. It would seem insane given that this is a 4G phone but then carriers are strange people.
anonymous 12 September, 2012 01:05
Would love to know a date the 4G phones will be available & prices.
Why say 'were launching 4G' but you won't be able to use it yet !
Come on EE sort it out...
jayeshagrawal 14 September, 2012 07:34
like this samsung s3 lte mobile
anonymous 14 September, 2012 12:32
I live in an area (in London Zone 2!!) where I can only get 1.4Mbps on my home broadband. Poor phone lines and no cable.
So very interested to find out it EE will be offering tethering and what their data charges or caps will be...hoping for unlimited!! If nothing else I might get a USB 4G dongle if the price is right.
Just wish they would hurry up and release price plan details.
anonymous 14 September, 2012 17:21
Visit link below we have hada 4g mobile in uk since may 2012
http://generalmobileworld.com/planet
we have the planet in stock
anonymous 16 September, 2012 20:39
I have used 4G in Dubai with Etisalat network and trust me its very very fast. I was getting over 50mbps download speed and I could download movies in less than 5 mins. Etisalat rolled out its 4G few months ago and Etisalat has spent $1.7 billion on infrastructure cost of 4G.
Bloody Expensive !!
anonymous 3 October, 2012 20:37
All i want to know is : I bought a samsung galaxy S3 in may its on vodafone for two years (contract) now...will i be able to get 4G on my device if so when? Its co complicated the way they are going about things...like were ment to knowwhat LTE means etc..
Jamie (Android lover)
Gerard Krupa 4 October, 2012 19:53
@Jamie
No, you won't be able to get 4G on that device no matter which network you connect to. The S3 and S3 LTE are different pieces of hardware and the only way to get the 4G-capable version in the UK at the moment is from T-Mobile or Orange.
anonymous 23 November, 2012 12:32
In both examples, the network indicator is showing at the top of the screen. Can you be sure it's using the mobile network and not wi-fi?
anonymous 28 November, 2012 23:24
You all dont realise the potential issue that ee faces as I see as an engineer. each lte node is set a side 30mb and the 3g is set to 77mb for gq clusters. So you now have 107mb. Therefore your 100mb direct ethernet ml link to hub sites will burst. Dropping calls cell availability will be reduced. Believe me this is going to cost ee a huge amount of money to upgrade all the links; which ee dont realise yet. So, dont don't expect the singing all dancing network to work as it should when you all take your lte product out of the box at xmas; Ho Ho Ho!