EE has announced that its 4G mobile data service is available in a further 12 towns across the UK, bringing the total number of towns and cities covered by its 4G network to 62.
EE, which owns the T-Mobile and Orange brands in the UK, says 4G is now available in Aylesbury, Berkhamsted, Billericay, Blackpool, Brentwood, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Lytham St Annes, Marlow, Pontefract, Thame and Windsor.
EE claims its network now covers the homes and businesses of more than 50 percent of the UK population. By the end of June, EE is committed to launching 4G in at least another 18 towns and cities, bringing the total to 80. EE aims to offer 4G to 70 percent of the population by the end of 2013.
Later this year the other mobile operators will launch their own 4G services after winning the necessary spectrum in an Ofcom auction. EE was able to launch its 4G service ahead of the others after being given permission by Ofcom to use spare spectrum bandwidth it won in the 2000 3G auction.
Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE, said: "Consumers and businesses in the UK use mobile internet more than any other market and rely on it for long commutes. We're committed to rolling out 4G to 98 percent of the population by the end of 2014."
In its first quarter financial results EE said 318,000 customers had so far signed up for 4G, and that more than 1,600 medium and large companies had started using 4G in the first five months after launch. EE has announced a target of more than one million customers by the end of 2013.