EE, part of BT Group, today unveiled a new 4G home broadband solution which could connect more than 18,500 homes across the North East, especially those in rural areas that are currently only able to access broadband slower than 10Mbps[1]. The service will provide customers with superfast broadband speeds at home using the power of EE’s 4G network. Customer trials in the Northern Fells area of Cumbria have delivered speeds of over 100Mbps.
EE’s new 4G home broadband, which combines the 4GEE Home Router with a powerful external antenna and professional installation service, has been designed specifically as an alternative for those in rural communities that have yet to be connected with traditional fixed line broadband access – or where customers can only receive slower fixed broadband speeds.
EE has recently been trialling the solution in the Cumbrian Northern Fells, an area with dramatic topography. Currently many homes in rural Cumbria can only get limited broadband access, and EE, working with the Northern Fells Broadband initiative has worked to trial the service with users in the area.
The new solution allows customers to access EE’s superfast 4G network which currently extends to 90% of the UK’s landmass (equal to more than 99.6% of UK homes). EE predicts that there are 580,000 UK homes with slow or no fixed line access which could benefit from the solution – with EE continuing to roll out 4G in to new areas of the UK on the way to its ambition to extend 4G to 95% geographic coverage
Max Taylor, Managing Director of Marketing, EE said: “As our network continues to expand into some of the most remote parts of the UK, we’ve seen the amazing impact that 4G connectivity can have on rural communities. Our newest 4G home broadband router and antenna takes this one step further, ensuring thousands of families in rural areas across the UK could enjoy the benefits of superfast broadband inside their home for the very first time – whether video-calling the grandparents or streaming their favourite TV series.”
4GEE Home Router & Antenna
EE’s 4GEE Home Router uses a 4G mobile signal to provide home broadband – enabling thousands of additional rural homes across the UK to enjoy the benefits of superfast home internet. With no requirement for a landline, the 4GEE Home Router is ready to go straight from the box allowing up to 32 devices to connect to it at once. The new 4GEE Home Router is EE’s fastest own brand device with enhanced wi-fi strength, making it the perfect alternative to traditional fixed broadband.
EE’s new antenna is fitted to the side of a customer’s property by EE’s professional installation provider and is connected to the 4GEE Home Router situated inside the home by a cable. This eliminates any loss of signal due to thick exterior walls, improving both the speed and consistency of the 4GEE Home Router. The antenna has been designed for use on properties with good outdoor coverage but variable indoor coverage.
The 4GEE Home Router and antenna solution offers speeds as fast as most fixed line fibre broadband services – with trial speeds showing over 100Mbps in Cumbria. Separately, independent recognition has revealed EE offers the UK’s fastest 4G, with average download speeds above 30Mbps*.
New Combined Line Checker
EE has also today launched the UK’s first fixed and mobile broadband combined coverage checker – allowing customers to see which broadband solution is most suitable for them based on their postcode – whether that’s via a fixed line or over 4G.
Pricing and availability
Available from 9 February nationwide, customers can sign up to a 4GEE Home pay monthly plan with introductory packages from £35 to £60 which include the 4GEE Home Router.Customers can add on the antenna and arrange professional installation at a convenient time for a one-off payment of £100.
If the customer has an existing EE pay monthly phone plan or 12 month SIM only plan, EE will boost their phone’s monthly data allowance by an extra 5GB.
EE has received extensive independent recognition, including being ranked the UK’s best overall network by RootMetrics®, Best Network for five years in a row at the Mobile Choice Awards, and Fastest Network and Best Network Coverage at the 2017 uSwitch Mobile Awards.
For more information, please visit www.ee.co.uk/broadband