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UK mobile network EE has revealed that it has signed up 318,000 customers for its 4G service since its launch last October.
In addition to these customers, the firm reports that 1,600 medium to large businesses have signed up for the super-fast service.
The figures fall in line with the company’s initial hopes for the service, with EE aiming to have over one million subscribers by the end of 2013.
“Today’s results are in-line with our expectations, and we are making good progress focusing on high value segments,” said Neal Milsom, Chief Financial Officer of EE.
"We’re announcing 318,000 4G customers after just five months of trading, strong postpaid net adds and continued growth in our underlying average revenue per user."
EE also highlighted the growth of smartphone adoption, with 82 per cent of its postpaid customers now owning smartphones, whilst 93 per cent of the provider’s new and renewing contract customers are now opting for premium, high-end devices.
Currently the UK’s only 4G network, EE was able to launch its service last year by using its existing spectrum and beat rival providers to the market. Following regulator Ofcom’s recent auction of the UK’s remaining spectrum, during which EE took on additional 800Mhz and 2.6GHz bandwidth, the firm says it now owns 36 per cent of the country’s total spectrum.
“We expect to strengthen our industry leadership position in the year ahead as the 4G roll out continues and we introduce double-speed 4GEE,” continued Milsom.
However, rival providers Vodafone, O2 and Three are all set to enter the 4G market later this year, something that could see 4G prices slashed as the market becomes increasingly competitive.
