London,
19
December
2012
|
23:00
Europe/London

EE launches 4G and begins country-wide 3G network upgrade programme in Northern Ireland

 

  • Upgrade programme for EE, Orange and T-Mobile networks to bring 2G and fastest 3G service to 94% of the population by April 2013
  • 4G to be switched on in Belfast on Christmas Day, bringing superfast mobile to the capital
  • EE investing more than £25 million in Northern Ireland

20 December, 2012 – EE, the UK's most advanced digital communications company, today announced that major mobile network upgrade plans have commenced in Northern Ireland. EE is investing more than £25 million in the region to deliver a faster mobile network to 94% of the population.

As well as undertaking the important upgrade works on the existing 2G and 3G network in Northern Ireland, EE is also launching superfast 4G mobile services on Christmas Day. When the network upgrade programme completes in April 2013, consumers and businesses across Northern Ireland will benefit from having access to one of the fastest, most advanced and best performing mobile networks in Europe.

Enterprise Minister for Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster commented: "The launch of 4G services in Belfast is positive news for Northern Ireland, and I am pleased to see that we are one of the first communities in the UK to benefit from this exciting technology. My department recognises the importance of digital infrastructure in the development of the economy in Northern Ireland. Consumers and businesses will also benefit from EE's major 2G and 3G network investment and upgrade plans that will deliver a faster, more reliable network for much of Northern Ireland by spring 2013."

This 2G and 3G network upgrade programme, vastly improving the reach and performance of the network in Northern Ireland, is likely to result in occasional and sporadic network outages for a small amount of customers. As mobile masts are upgraded, some customers near to that mast may experience a loss of mobile service for 12 to 48 hours. All works will be put on hold over Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day to ensure customers have access to mobile services on these important days. EE aims to minimise disruption as much as possible for both businesses and consumers. The network upgrade programme is scheduled to be complete by April 2013.

David Salam, Director of Network Strategy and Design at EE, said: "This network upgrade programme is essential for customers across Northern Ireland, and will enable one of the fastest, most efficient mobile networks in Europe. We're delighted to be able to deliver this network, and apologise for any inconvenience caused by any temporary losses of service during this exciting network upgrade programme."

For more information, please visit www.ee.co.uk.

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact the EE press team on:

ee@nelsonbostock.com

0845 373 7070

About EE

EE is the UK's most advanced digital communications company, providing mobile and fixed line services to 27 million customers, and on 30 October 2012 it became the first company in the UK to provide 4G mobile services alongside fixed-line Fibre.

EE is the company that runs the Orange and T-Mobile brands in the UK, and the new superfast 4G brand – EE.

Its 4G service will cover a third of the population by the end of 2012 and its Fibre service will cover 50% of the population by the end of the year.

EE's mobile service currently provides coverage to 99% of the population with 2G and 98% of the population with 3G.

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