Orange and T-Mobile UK, the two companies forming the new 4G EE network in the UK, have launched three 4G capable Android phones today.
That means that if you're an Orange or T-Mobile customer, you can now buy the Samsung Galaxy S III LTE, HTC One XL, or Huawei Ascend P1 LTE on contract to ensure that you're ahead of the game before 4G goes live in the UK at the end of this month.
Update: EE will launch on October 30th, as per Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE:
We are delighted to announce that the official launch of our new customer brand, EE, offering the UK’s first superfast mobile 4G and fibre broadband service, will take place on the 30th October 2012. This is a significant milestone for the United Kingdom, and for the people and businesses of our country who will now be able to enjoy the huge advantages of superfast 4G technology for the first time. We are very proud to be pioneering, innovating and leading our industry in launching 4G for our nation through our new EE brand.
Plans for the Samsung and HTC devices start at £41 a month, with the phones costing £19.99. The Huawei Ascend P1 is available for free on contracts from £36 a month. When EE launches, it will also offer the Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE to customers.
Orange and T-Mobile customers will be able to seamlessly switch over to the new network and continue their contract without any fees if their monthly costs remain the same or increase. Customers who find that their monthly costs will decrease after switching will have to pay an upgrade fee.
EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced its latest 4G ready smartphones are now available from Orange and T-Mobile stores, online and through telesales for both consumers and business customers to purchase.
From today, the 4G ready Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE, HTC One XL and Huawei Ascend P1 LTE will be available to buy on Orange and T-Mobile 3G price plans. They join the iPhone 5 which was launched recently. Once the superfast EE brand launches in the coming weeks, Orange and T-Mobile customers with 4G ready handsets can then choose to move across to the new 4G EE customer brand or remain on the existing 3G network.
EE also confirms the addition of the Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE to its 4G ready smartphone range. The Galaxy Note II LTE comes with an advanced S-Pen, which, together with features such as Air View, S Note and S Planner, makes everyday tasks such as annotating documents and sending emails easy and intuitive. Featuring a 5.55” (141mm) HD Super AMOLED display, content can be seen clearly and vividly – plus, it’s thin and light, making it easy to read and view content whilst on the way to work or at a business meeting. The Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE will be available from 15th October.
Pippa Dunn, Chief Marketing Officer, EE said: “We’re delighted to now be offering our customers a range of 4G ready smartphones to choose from. Not only can they use their phones straight away on the UK’s biggest 3G network, but they can also have the opportunity to be amongst the first to benefit from superfast 4G mobile speeds when we launch our EE brand on October 30th”.
For Orange and T-Mobile customers with 4G ready handsets who want to upgrade to a new superfast EE 4G plan when they launch in the coming weeks – or at any point in their existing contract – the process will be made as simple as possible. Customers will then receive a 4G EE SIM so they can access the service.
For more information, please visit www.orange.co.uk, t-mobile.co.uk or www.ee.co.uk
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Notes to Editors
Previously-announced handsets and availability
HTC One XL – available from today
High quality entertainment and precision navigation combine in this handset, thanks to a large 4.7” HD touchscreen display. Full HD video, and front and rear facing camera let you capture crisp, vivid photos and movies in high quality wherever you are.
Huawei Ascend P1 LTE – available from today
A powerhouse dual-core processor is packed in to this handset’s slim design. Take stunningly clear images or HD videos on an 8MP autofocus camera with LED flash and play back on the 4.3” high-res touchscreen.
Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE – available from today
With a 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED display, you can watch videos on your mobile like never before. Innovative Smart Stay automatically recognises when you are looking at the phone, maintaining a bright display for continued viewing pleasure.