EE 4G services to be launched on 30 October

Mobile operator EE will offer 4G services in the UK from 30 October, it has confirmed.

Rumours were rife yesterday when EE, along with mobile operators O2, Vodafone and Three had peace talks with communications regulator Ofcom and Culture Secretary Maria Miller.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) issued a statement confirming that 4G services would be available by spring 2013 as opposed to the end of next year, meaning that EE's rivals could catch up with it, by offering the services earlier than expected.

In a statement, EE CEO Olaf Swantee confirmed: "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," he added.

Yesterday, EE hinted that the peace talks had helped to enable it to announce a launch date for its 4G services.

"We won't be drawn on this debate but watch this space and see what comes out from what you're hearing [on Tuesday]," an EE spokesperson told Computing.

The launch cities for 4G will be Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Liverpool, Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and Sheffield.

By the end of 2012, Belfast, Derby, Hull, Newcastle, Nottingham and Southampton will also have 4G coverage.