EE commits to adding 27 new towns to its 4G network by June 2013, covering 55% of the UK

Following its announcement that it had enabled its 4G networks in nine new towns, the UK’s first 4G operator — EE — has further committed to connecting more of the population to its LTE service by adding 27 new towns by June 2013, allowing it to cover 55 percent of the population.

EE says that between April and June, it will push live its networks in Aldershot, Ashford, Basildon, Basingstoke, Blackpool, Bracknell, Camberley, Colchester, Crawley, Farnborough, Guildford, Horsham, Huddersfield, Leatherhead, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Oldham, Oxford, Redhill, Reigate, Sevenoaks, Stevenage, Tonbridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Warrington, Wigan and Woking.

Last week, the company also switched on its 4G networks in Newbury, the 28th UK town to receive its superfast LTE service.

Expanding its reach in 27 new towns will allow EE to expand its UK 4G reach by roughly 10 percent, covering more than 65 towns and cities in total. It may also be EE’s last 4G expansion before its UK operator rivals get the opportunity to launch their own 4G services.

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Currently, O2, Vodafone and Three are locked in an Ofcom-controlled auction for 4G spectrum in the UK. The three carriers are fighting it out with four other companies to secure 28 lots spectrum on the 800MHz and 2.6GHz frequencies.

While Ofcom hasn’t said when it expects the auction to be completed, it hopes to enable the new 4G bands and allow operators to launch their new services in late spring/early summer.