Mobile network EE has extended its 4G coverage to nine more cities and towns.
From this week, customers in Barnsley, Chorley, Coventry, Newport, Preston, Rotherham, Telford, Walsall and Watford will be able to access the UK’s first superfast mobile broadband network.
4G offers speeds of around five times faster than 3G, with maximum speeds of 12Mbps achievable in some areas.
The roll-out means the service, which has been criticised for costing too much, is available to 45% of the UK population.
Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE, said: “We’re committed to making the UK’s first 4G service available to as many people, as quickly as possible.
“We’re setting the pace for the delivery of 4G in the UK, and it’s a great achievement for our engineering teams to be able to launch in another nine towns this month, enabling more and more consumers and businesses to take advantage of superfast mobile internet.”
EE’s prices start from £21pm for just 500MB of data download and rise to £76pm for a 20GB allowance.
Customers of EE brands T-Mobile and Orange wishing to upgrade to 4G must pay a termination fee to end their existing contract.
Rival network Three has said it’ll offer 4G speeds to customers at no extra charge when its offering launched later this year.