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Three's 4G Mobile Network Status Round Up
It’s 15 months since EE launched 4G in the UK and as we’re receiving questions from our readers about Three’s 4G mobile network status so we decided to compile a round-up.
We contacted Three today who confirmed that there were no further details other than what was released on the 4th December, and that no further information would be released in the near future.
To help our readers, I have broken Three’s 4G mobile network launch into three stages : One, Two and Three. Stage One covers what’s happening now, Stage Two covers what will happen in the rest of 2014 and Stage Three in 2015.
Three 4G Stage One – December 2013 to today
In December, Three confirmed it had put its 4G network live in London, Birmingham, Reading and Manchester.
However, Three had connected only 3000 of its customers with 4G as opposed to hooking up all its customers in the cities above.
Three say “We’re currently working with a number of them in the first phase of our launch and are paying close attention to their user experience to ensure we get it right before we accelerate the roll-out over the next couple of months”
We see this as a trial of the 4G network and 4G devices prior to a wider rollout. Three also confirmed today (09/01/2014) that no update on the trial was available.
Three 4G Stage Two – from today through 2014
Three have stated that it will launch 4G in the 50 cities listed below during 2014. No further details e.g. in what order or dates were released.
Aberdeen, Blackpool, Bolton, Bournemouth, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Dundee, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Gloucester, Huddersfield, Ipswich, Kingston Upon Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Luton, Milton Keynes, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Sheffield, Slough, Southampton, Southend On Sea, Stoke On Trent, Stockport, Swindon, Watford and York.
Three did confirm that 1.5 million of its customers, who already have 4G enabled devices, will be able to access 4G in their area in February. However, Three did not confirm in which areas this covered.
If you live in one of the above areas and would like more details of when 4G will be coming to your area you could try Three’s customer services or pop into the local shop as they may have a heads up on this.
Three 4G Stage Three – 2015
Three have stated that it will launch 4G in the cities listed below during 2015. No further details e.g. in what order or dates were released.
Bangor, Swansea, Newport, Bath, Canterbury, Chester, Hereford, Lancaster, Lincoln, Salisbury, St Albans, Sunderland, Wakefield, Winchester and Worcester.
Three also confirmed it is on track to bring 4G to 98% of the population by the end of 2015.
4G With No Extra Costs
The good news is that Three will connect you to 4G with no extra costs, and there is no need to upgrade or sign a new contract. All Three need to do is upload an "over the air" firmware update onto your '4G Ready' device and you're good to go.
