O2 has announced a significant expansion of its 4G network as it looks to keep pace with its fast-expanding rivals.
The operator today revealed a list of UK towns and cities that will now be able to access its superfast internet service, including a collection of major cities such as Portsmouth, Southampton, Reading and Bournemouth.
Overall, O2’s 4G roll out now covers 232 UK towns and cities, providing 37.5% indoor coverage, following its launch last August, meaning there is still some way to go before it reaches its intended 98% UK coverage target.
The company offers 4G tariffs starting at £16 a month for 1GB of data on its Simplicity plan, rising to £30 a month for 8GB. 4G is also available on O2’s Refresh price plan, which lets users change devices when they want, starting at £18 a month for 1GB of data before rising to £28 per month for 8GB.
As well as the above cities, O2 4G will also now be available in Didcot, Ossett, Carterton, Whitefield, Poole, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Mosborough/Highlane, Knottingley, Castleford, Stroud, and Royal Wootton Basset.
Recent research by Juniper Networks predicts that there will be more than one billion 4G mobile connections by 2017, as more and more people around the world, particularly in emerging markets, get connected and the number of compatible devices rises.
Competition for customers amongst the UK’s operators is heated, with each company trying to expand their 4G network as quickly as possible. EE currently takes top spot, with a recent expansion meaning its network now reaches 250 towns and cities (along wioth 2,500 villages – more than 73% of the total UK population
