EE and Glastonbury launch the official 'Glastonbury 2013' mobile app - the ultimate digital companion to this year's festival

EE, the UK's most advanced digital communications company, and the Glastonbury Festival today announced the launch of the only official mobile application for this year's event, 'Glastonbury 2013'. Designed by EE, official communications and technology partner of the 2013 event, as the ultimate digital guide to the world's most loved festival, the app will help those both on and off site make the most of the weekend by allowing them to keep up to date with exclusive content and the latest news direct from the Festival team. It is available in app stores now - on iOS and Android devices – and is free to users of any mobile network. For more information, please visit ee.co.uk/Glastonbury.

All new for 2013, the BBC's live streams of performances at Glastonbury will be accessible from the EE app over the weekend, meaning that users both on and off site can check out Festival sets via their Smartphone. Glastonbury goers already on EE's 4G network will be able to stream content seamlessly thanks to EE's unique on site infrastructure that sees Glastonbury set to become the UK's first 4G-enabled festival. Starting on Friday 28 June, users will be able to access seven live stream feeds directly from the BBC's Glastonbury website with content available from the Pyramid, Other, Park, John Peel, West Holts and BBC Introducing stages, as well as a roaming camera hosted by leading BBC presenters.

The new for 2013 app encompasses the core functionality that has proved of most use to Festival goers in previous versions* including;

• Interactive and customisable line-up 'Schedule' tools, in association with the Guardian, which can be shared with friends via social media to plan the weekend. 
• Interactive mapping featuring extended site coverage, location finding, customisable pin drops, 'now and next' info direct from the map. 
• News section featuring content from the Glastonbury team, including real time updates direct from the Festival over the weekend. 

The 'Schedule' section, in association with the Guardian Guide, will list full set times for hundreds of artists performing across the Festival, and is the place for users to create their own personalised 'My Planner' of must see acts over the weekend. Any act can be added to a user's planner where they can be viewed, reminders set and any clashes will be clearly flagged. Biographies and content from selected artists will be available as well as the ability to listen to clips of songs from artists, helping users to discover new music and to decide on which acts to see. From within the schedule section, Facebook integration will let users share their planner with their friends and see which of their friends are going. Over the Festival weekend, the BBC's live streams of artist performances will be easily accessible from their listings in the schedule section. Full set time info and planner functionality will be available mid-June.

The 'map', all new for 2013, is the most extensive and interactive yet. The map details every place those on site might need; from stages large and small, to campsites, bars, toilets and information points and - all new for this year - all official Festival car parks. The app will pinpoint your location wherever you are, and customisable location pins can be used to mark important places around the site – be that where you parked your car or where your mate has pitched their tent. Clicking on any stage within the map will bring up 'now and next' info of artists playing on it, and all users, whether on site or at home, will be able to watch the BBC's live streams of performances where available. 

In the 'news' section, there will be regular content and news updates in the lead up to the Festival both from EE and Glastonbury and over the weekend the Festival team will be posting important updates directly into the app – so if the schedule changes or if there is an important announcement, the app will be the place to get the news first. Within the news section, app users can also view Tweets from the Festival team and EE.

When on site, those in need of a charge at the Festival will be able to pop into EE's 'Recharge' tents on site – regardless of which network they're with, and for free. Visitors to the tents will be able to kick back and relax whilst they give their phone’s (and their own!) batteries a recharge. There will also be a chance to try superfast mobile Wi-Fi powered by EE's on site 4G network for free via any smartphone. The EE 'Recharge' tent locations are clearly labeled on the in app map.

Spencer McHugh, Brand Director at EE commented: "Our on site 4G network will make it even easier for Glastonbury goers to access all the exciting digital content available through the app this year. The 2013 app builds on everything we’ve learnt over many years of working with the Festival under Orange to offer some fantastic new features and content including linking up with the BBC's on site coverage. Whether you're at the Festival and can’t get to the stage on time or relaxing in your garden at home, this function will allow users to enjoy live Festival performances direct from the app for the first time."

Glastonbury Festival organiser Emily Eavis added: "We put a lot into making this festival as good as it can possibly be. I hope the app helps people navigate the site and introduces them to acts they've never seen before."

For more information, please visit ee.co.uk/Glastonbury.

- ENDS -

Notes to editors 
* Orange produced

For more information, please contact:

Alex Wilkinson / alex.wilkinson@mcsaatchi.com / 07969 573 313
Maria Panayi / maria.panayi@mcsaatchi.com / 07817 848 691
Samantha Harris / samantha.harris@mcsaatchi.com / 07896 530007

About EE

EE is the most advanced digital communications company in Britain, providing mobile and fixed-line services to more than 26 million customers. EE is the first company in the UK to provide superfast 4G mobile services alongside fixed-line fibre, and runs the Orange, T-Mobile and EE brands in the UK.

4G from EE is currently available in 74 towns and cities across the country offering access to the superfast service to more than 50% of the population. EE's 4G network is also on track to cover more than 70% of the population by the end of 2013 and 98% by the end of 2014. EE's mobile service currently provides coverage to 99% of the population with 2G and 98% of the population with 3G.

EE's fibre service is currently available to 50% of the UK households and businesses.

Follow us on…

Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ee

Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ee

YouTube at: www.youtube.com/ee

LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/company/ee-uk