We’ve seen a lot of noise from O2 and Vodafone about their new 4G plans and value-added content recently. Meanwhile, EE have taken to Twitter to ensure that everyone knows just how much of a head start they have.
All these networks have one thing in common though, and that is the additional cost to switch from 3G to 4G.
It’s assumed that this “premium” is just for the privilege of having the slightly faster internet speeds.
However, some months ago Three promised that they wouldn’t be doing this. They told us that there’d be no additional costs and no new contracts to sign.
Today they’ve got in touch reaffirm this statement, which can only be good news for present and potential Three customers. A Three spokesperson tells us that…
We’re on track to launch in Q4 and we will offer 4G at no extra charge. When we switch on our 4G network well over a million of our customers will already have a 4G device, so they will get automatic and hassle-free access in 4G areas without the need to change plans or sim cards.
Everyone on Three with a 4G device will be able to enjoy our 4G services as we roll out the network across the country to add capacity to what is already the UK’s fastest 3G network.
So, if you’re on Three now and have a 4G capable device, here’s what you need to do to get even faster speeds. NOTHING.
Well, that seems fair enough to me, but I’d absolutely love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you already gone 4G? Do you mind paying extra or are you glad to hear that Three will be approaching things differently? Add your comment below.
I just joined 3 because of this we all pay enough so why pay more for 4g especially if 4g is like 3g and still get poor coverage ?
I agree, and 3 arguably has the best data network anyway – you are far less likely to get a better experience on the EE network, even if in some places it is marginally faster.
Technically, Vodafone should be the best 4G network around when it’s at full strength (i.e. all cells deployed), but I doubt that will be until mid-2015 at the earliest. O2 will have the worst network (they have by far the least spectrum allocation), so in my mind, it should mean they should offer 4G at no extra cost too.
4G should, in theory, improve coverage marginally – i.e. you’ll be more likely to get a fast data signal where you can’t currently get 3G, but by how much it’s very difficult to tell at the moment. This is why I don’t think any of the networks can really justify a premium at the moment.
As far as I’m aware, 4G over in the USA wasn’t a premium product, and if your phone was 4G capable, then you just got it. Rip off Britain, eh?
Actually, in the US it was very premium. They basically forced every to switch to a newer 4G contract and people could do nothing due to the lack of consumer protection laws.
They pay 10x as much as we do for less.
Ah that’s interesting. I’ve been working over there a bit lately, and one guy who I discussed it with said that he was just upgraded to LTE for no extra (verizon, I think). Doesn’t surprise me a great deal that most people weren’t, now you come to mention it.
I’ve always been amazed how much the contracts cost in the USA, although didn’t realise they were that expensive.
I guess their infrastructure is many times more expensive (i.e. more land to cover for less people per square mile) so economically it makes sense that it’s so expensive.
Not really. European mobile operators profit-margins are much lower in the US due to better competition and better regulation.
It’s generally the same companies that own all the networks anyway, and the EU is planning to create a single telecom market next year, so T-Mobile UK, DE etc would become T-Mobile EU.
morepeople will choose three than the rest because 4G will come as standard on all price plans, thats the reason i upgraded my iphone 5 to the samsung galaxy s4 a few months back, currently im on the one plan with all you can eat data. ee,o2,vodafone should hang there heads in shame when three the smallest operator can offer super fast 4G at no extra cost. happy three customer (-:
All you can eat on 4g for no extra…. thats the Killer deal none of the others can compete with
I have been with three a long time and their network is by far the best. 3G at the moment is very fast so i cant wait to get the benefits of the 4G network