Realistic coverage of EE LTE over next 12 months

EnzoSmithers · 13 Sep 2012 at 09:17

Anyone got any information on expected coverage and rollout of EE's LTE network?

Thinking of switching from O2 to Orange/EE for LTE access on an iphone 5, but am not convinced that up here in the bonny North (Newcastle) will see any of it, until the next handset is released anyway.

dillingerdan · 13 Sep 2012 at 09:24

Newcastle is listed as one of the places to get LTE before the end of the year on their site: http://ee.co.uk/

Teledude · 13 Sep 2012 at 09:25

IMO you'd be crazy to jump to EE for 4G before the auction

Only using 1800mhz currently - poor building and rural penetration
Coverage inside the 16 first cities is an unknown
Once o2 and Voda ramp up their deployment TOGETHER using the more favourable bands I think they will leave EE behind
The new iPhone will only work on EE LTE in the UK - do you want to be locked to them?

edscdk · 13 Sep 2012 at 09:28

3g does not have good coverage in the south and how long has that been out....? so I would guess with no evidence or insight there will be little to no coverage in the next 12 to 24 months...

sarge78 · 13 Sep 2012 at 09:40

Teledude said:
Once o2 and Voda ramp up their deployment TOGETHER using the more favourable bands I think they will leave EE behind

Three/EE should get some 800/2600 space too (o2/Voda are years behind MBNL

)

EnzoSmithers · 13 Sep 2012 at 09:41

Teledude said:
IMO you'd be crazy to jump to EE for 4G before the auction

Only using 1800mhz currently - poor building and rural penetration

Coverage inside the 16 first cities is an unknown

Once o2 and Voda ramp up their deployment TOGETHER using the more favourable bands I think they will leave EE behind

The new iPhone will only work on EE LTE in the UK - do you want to be locked to them?

So from that i take it that the O2/Vodafone LTE service will not function in an iphone 5 at all?

If so, what do I gain from staying on o2?

Thanks for all the information

Teledude · 13 Sep 2012 at 09:49

sarge78 said:
Three/EE should get some 800/2600 space too (o2/Voda are years behind MBNL )

Possibly, but I cant see Ofcom giving them much as they got an early start

I know for a fact o2 are testing LTE on the 800mhz range around key locations such as their Slough HQ and the results are very good

EnzoSmithers · 13 Sep 2012 at 09:51

Teledude said:
Possibly, but I cant see Ofcom giving them much as they got an early start

I know for a fact o2 are testing LTE on the 800mhz range around key locations such as their Slough HQ and the results are very good

Am i right in saying though, looking at apple.com/iphone/LTE that an 800mhz LTE service from O2 would NOT be compatible with any model pf iphone 5, and would result in the max being 3G though?

if that is correct, I see no reason to stay with o2 and not move to EE, unless i am not understanding the whole situation correctly.

lixxus · 13 Sep 2012 at 09:56

there are 3 models two of which are gsm.

please do your research

GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE** (Bands 4 and 17)

CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE** (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)

GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE** (Bands 1, 3, 5)

EnzoSmithers · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:02

Lixxus, Teledude referred to O2 testing an 800mhz LTE, this is not the same as 850 as you have quoted (by copying the info from a link I have already posted..)

Teledude · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:02

G4cE said:
Am i right in saying though, looking at apple.com/iphone/LTE that an 800mhz LTE service from O2 would NOT be compatible with any model pf iphone 5, and would result in the max being 3G though?

if that is correct, I see no reason to stay with o2 and not move to EE, unless i am not understanding the whole situation correctly.

Correct - only EE will be LTE on the current batch of I5's

EnzoSmithers · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:04

Thanks Teledude, I hope/suspect that by the time the 5S gets released that they will support the o2 800mhz range that is being tested.

Raymond Lin · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:05

Will the New iPad be able to use this LTE we have in the UK then?

Teledude · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:05

Raymond Lin said:
Will the New iPad be able to use this LTE we have in the UK then?

Nope - 700/2100 only - UK will be on 800/1800 and 2600

StonedPenguin · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:09

Will Giffgaff get 4G?

EnzoSmithers · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:18

StonedPenguin said:
Will Giffgaff get 4G?

My guess would be no, as as far as I am aware they piggyback O2's network.

ubersonic · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:21

Im with EE, when they have decent 3G coverage in north Wales ill start caring about 4, but I think ill have jumped to O2/Voda long before then lol.

Teledude · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:27

StonedPenguin said:
Will Giffgaff get 4G?

When O2 get 4G GG will follow - till then 3G only

MagicUK · 13 Sep 2012 at 10:58

So just confirming, the iPhone 5 4g network will only work on 1800lte in the UK which is everything everywhere? I'm on t mobile so will look at prices, I suspect as mentioned about the 5S when announced will cOver more uk network frequencies. I can see current networks like o2/voda/three increasing there networks to hsdpa which is up to 21mb but il be happy with 10mb on my iPhone 4s.

steveo · 13 Sep 2012 at 11:46

i cant even get full 3G in my area so i am holding no hope of 4G