AT&T has closed a deal with the United Kingdom’s EE to allow its customers access to the British carriers’ LTE network. The partnership is the first of its kind and it gives the type of flexibility for AT&T customers who often travel abroad. Starting next year, traveling AT&T subscribers will have access to more than 160 4G LTE markets. The great thing is you don’t have to do anything, as your smartphone will automatically pick up the EE 4G network.
Unfortunately, EE was mum on what subscribers should expect on their bills from this new feature. Our gut tells us that you should be ready to pay a hefty price. This is a good thing for AT&T and EE to do, as it’s time for companies to work unilaterally, and not continue the same fragmented system.
Press Release
16th December, 2013 – EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced the first 4G LTE roaming agreement in the UK, with AT&T. EE is set to launch additional partnerships early next year.
EE is the UK’s biggest and fastest 4G network, and will cover more than 160 towns and cities by Christmas. This makes EE the partner of choice for international operators looking to offer their customers the best voice quality and the fastest and most reliable internet experience when using their mobile devices in the UK.
With average speeds of 24-30Mbps in major cities across the UK, customers on partner networks will be able to fully unlock the potential of their smartphones abroad – allowing them to instantly load maps, search the best activities and restaurants and post updates on their travels to friends and family back home.
Olaf Swantee, CEO, EE said: “Technology is not just shaping how people book and research holidays; but what they look for when they are choosing a country to visit. From finding their way to local landmarks, to avoiding the Oxford street crowds by shopping on their tablet, tourists are increasingly looking for fast and reliable mobile experiences when they travel abroad.
With the biggest and fastest 4G network in the UK, we can provide our partners’ customers with the best mobile experience to stay connected when they visit the UK.”
The adoption of 4G LTE around the world is happening much faster than 3G as people rely on fast mobile internet to stay connected on the go. In order to unlock the full potential of 4G roaming, EE is working with our Rest of World partners on innovative new wholesale models to ensure customers have access to the data they need to stay connected abroad.
Source: EE