4G free on Three – LTE speeds at no extra cost, say network

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three-logo-thumb.jpgThree have revealed that 4G speeds will be available to their customers at no extra cost when their superfast network begins to roll out.

Three customers with a compatible device will get access to 4G services through their existing SIM through their existing contracts – no premium will need to be paid.

So far, those compatible handsets include the iPhone 5, Nokia Lumia 920 as well as the iPad mini and iPad 4. Joining this line-up on the Three network in the near future will also be the Sony Xperia Z, Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE and Galaxy Note 2 LTE, as well as the BlackBerry Z10 which we reviewed last week.

“As we add the next wave of technology to our Ultrafast network, we’ve listened to our customers and thought long and hard about the right way to do it,” said Dave Dyson, chief executive of Three.

“We don’t want to limit Ultrafast services to a select few based on a premium price and we’ve decided our customers will get this service as standard.”

Three will be offering customers 4G LTE through the 1800MHz spectrum (shared with EE) at some point in the second half of 2013. EE are currently the only UK network to offer 4G speeds. Three refer to their 4G connections however as “Ultrafast”, terminology it already uses in conjunction with its existing DC-HSDPA network, which could prove confusing for potential customers on the hunt for the fastest possible mobile speeds.

Our experience with 4G speeds from EE so far has been positive, but Three have a distinct advantage, as many consider EE’s pricing strategy too expensive at present.

Gerald Lynch
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