Orange UK 4G Launch 20th September

[Macman45]

Seems that Orange UK are launching their 4G Service on the 20th September - one day before the iPhone 5 is expected to drop.

Can you see people moving to Orange, just to get 4G?

Discuss...

That's what there CS people told me, but I have my doubts. I think they were simply trying to get me to jump over to them as I'm currently with O2 who will NOT have the service until next year. I don't really want to switch providers, and particularly not Orange / T-Mobile as the coverage in my area is poor to say the least.

O2 have been pretty good service wise, but the prices keep creeping up...Bolt on this, bolt on that etc. I buy all my phones from Apple so I'm not bound by a contract beyond 3o days notice, so the only way they make money from me is to hike the prices up. Getting the 5 might make me think about 3, as people seem to give good reports about them, bit the hassle of it all would really have to be a major money saver for me to make the move.

 

[tann]

EE have begun their announcements.

The Verge will be updating their article as it goes along.

Link

 

[ct2k7]

Speeds: Upload speeds averaged around 20Mbps, while downloads peaked around 38Mbps -- consistently above 25Mbps.

EE confirms Nokia Lumia 920, 820 and Samsung Galaxy S III among first handsets on new LTE network

 

[displaced]

It's ridiculous that none of the other networks have enabled visual voicemail yet.

I assumed it was contractually exclusive to O2, but apparently that isn't the case.

Absurd that the others don't have it, after 5 years or so of the iPhone being on the market.

Agreed. I was with Orange for almost 15 years before getting my 3GS on O2 (before Orange got the iPhone). I've been happy with O2, but wouldn't mind shopping around.

But when I came to upgrade to my iPhone 4, I was astonished to find that noone other than O2 had Visual Voicemail. It's so much better than traditional voicemail that I just can't really consider another network that doesn't support it.

 

[Muse84]

I do appologise if this is a dumb question or has been answered before

Im currently on Orange and benifit from the share between their network and T-Mobiles. If i wanted 4G LTE services for my next phone (hopefully iphone is compatible) then do i have to switch from Orange to this newly created provider EE.

I understand that they are all one big company but i was wondering if Orange will get the 4G services aswell or will it just be for people woith contracts on EE?

 

[ct2k7]

I do appologise if this is a dumb question or has been answered before

Im currently on Orange and benifit from the share between their network and T-Mobiles. If i wanted 4G LTE services for my next phone (hopefully iphone is compatible) then do i have to switch from Orange to this newly created provider EE.

I understand that they are all one big company but i was wondering if Orange will get the 4G services aswell or will it just be for people woith contracts on EE?

I don't think we know those details yet.

 

[JesalTV]

I'm on a SIM-only monthly deal with O2.

Looks like it might be time to switch! Hello EE (as long as you're not stupidly expensive).

 

[ct2k7]

Here's what we know today:

EE network switched on today
EE’s new customer brand to launch in the coming weeks with pioneering superfast 4G LTE mobile services and fibre broadband
EE’s superfast 4G service to launch in 16 cities by Christmas, covering 20 million people – a third of the population. Nationwide 4G roll out to accelerate through 2013 with 98% of UK population covered in 2014
EE’s superfast fibre broadband service to reach more than 11 million households and businesses by end of year
Over 700 EE-branded stores to open – more than any other operator
Orange and T-Mobile customers to benefit from the UK’s biggest and best mobile network, and more stores than ever before

 

[Muse84]

I don't think we know those details yet.

ah ok, theres me jumping the gun again

thnx

 

[freep]

When talking about handset manufacturers at the press launch apparently they said "one more thing...other firms soon". This pretty much confirms they will have an LTE compatible iPhone for me.

 

[Muse84]

Thought this link might be usefull for some people. Plenty of info on what has been announced.

http://everythingeverywhere.com/201...s-ee-a-new-company-a-new-network-a-new-brand/

Hope that helps

 

[Hermes Monster]

I've just logged my interest with them, I'm a current Orange customer but as far as I can tell it will be a whole new contract with EE (as it would be even if I just upgraded with Orange).

Price will be the deciding factor for me. iPhone contracts are already expensive, and I can only assume there will be a premium for a 4G contract with no competition to drive the prices down. I do wonder about allowances as well, when 3G came out everyone offered big download limits, surely the same will happen with 4G - otherwise what's the point?

 

[Muse84]

I've just logged my interest with them, I'm a current Orange customer but as far as I can tell it will be a whole new contract with EE (as it would be even if I just upgraded with Orange).

Price will be the deciding factor for me. iPhone contracts are already expensive, and I can only assume there will be a premium for a 4G contract with no competition to drive the prices down. I do wonder about allowances as well, when 3G came out everyone offered big download limits, surely the same will happen with 4G - otherwise what's the point?

Yea i did the same, i just checked out the small print on the Orange website and it does say Orange customers will not be able to get 4G services. only on an EE service plan.

However they will probably make it simple to change your conrtyract over to EE. Cant see them wanting to miss out on the extra ££

i will be asking Orange this before i renew with them for the iPhone 5.

 

[gmidgley]

All info at ee.co.uk and twitter.com/ee

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Yea i did the same, i just checked out the small print on the Orange website and it does say Orange customers will not be able to get 4G services. only on an EE service plan.

However they will probably make it simple to change your conrtyract over to EE. Cant see them wanting to miss out on the extra ££

i will be asking Orange this before i renew with them for the iPhone 5.

All answered here --> http://shop.orange.co.uk/mobile-phones/phones/breakcover?wt.mc_id=OFF_OUK_V_ee&wt.tsrc=Vanity

 

[bollyboy]

I've recently renewed 2 contracts with Orange, wonder what eligibility will mean from there FAQ's ?

Below is from Orange website.



Q: I’ve just started a new plan. Will I be able to move to EE?

A: We’ll make it easy and straightforward for eligible Orange customers to move to EE. We’ll provide more info on your options nearer to the time when we launch. You can also sign up now to be one of the first to find out more here.

 

[rogerbarrett]

unable to understand. Why too much late. In fact Apple is near to launch iPhone 5 ...

 

[freep]

Does anyone know what kind of impact this will have on the 4g spectrum auction next year? Is the agreement to use 1800mhz for LTE a temporary one until the new spectrum is available?

Are EE likely to get a chunk of either the new 800 or 2600mhz bands?

 

[Hermes Monster]

I've recently renewed 2 contracts with Orange, wonder what eligibility will mean from there FAQ's ?

Below is from Orange website.



Q: I’ve just started a new plan. Will I be able to move to EE?

A: We’ll make it easy and straightforward for eligible Orange customers to move to EE. We’ll provide more info on your options nearer to the time when we launch. You can also sign up now to be one of the first to find out more here.

The cynic in me says it's only people who are due an upgrade or are out of contract. Historically getting anything decent from Orange has been like getting blood from a stone (in my experience anyway), but hopefully they're seriously keen on locking people in to the 4G service.

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I've also just noticed that it says it will be launching in the coming months, which leads me to think that I won't be able to get the iPhone 5 with them....not at launch at least, which = no dice.

 

[jimN]

I've also just noticed that it says it will be launching in the coming months, which leads me to think that I won't be able to get the iPhone 5 with them....not at launch at least, which = no dice.

given the "one more thing" at the end of the announcement it's a good bet that the iPhone 5 will work on their network and judging by their optimistic tone should be available in the next month or so.