The company, which is jointly owned by Orange and T-Mobile and is presently the only UK operator offering 4G, plans to launch the upgrade this summer in 10 UK cities, which it claims will see average speeds climb to 20Mbps.
EE controversially stole a lead on its UK rivals when it was granted permission to convert some of its excess 1800MHz spectrum, gained through the combination of Orange and T-Mobile’s spectrum auction, for 4G services in August 2012.
However, rival operators are set to launch their 4G services since acquiring spectrum at the UK auction in February. EE’s acquisition of spectrum in the 4G auction has enabled it to boost its service.
The upgraded service, which is likely to be offered at the same price as its existing service, will be offered first in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Sheffield.