At least a third of UK business owners will soon benefit from superfast mobile speeds, after Everything Everywhere launched the country’s first 4G network.

The company announced today that it is rebranding under the name EE, and bringing T-Mobile and Orange under its umbrella, to create the country’s largest and most advanced mobile network.

The pioneering 4G mobile service will officially become available in the next few weeks, with live testing already underway in London, Bristol, Cardiff and Birmingham.

Twelve other major cities, including Edinburgh, Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester, will have their service switched on by Christmas, as well as Liverpool, Newcastle, Derby, Hull, Nottingham, Sheffield and Southampton.

With a combined population of 20 million, that means a third of the country will benefit from a connection, which is typically five times faster than 3G, by the end of the year.

EE will complement the service by providing businesses and homes with fixed-line fibre broadband, which offers internet speeds up to 10 times faster than the modern average.

Customers will also have access to specialist support as more than 700 EE stores launch on the British high street, including the rebranding of Orange and T-Mobile outlets.

Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE said: “Our plans to revolutionise the UK communications market with a faster network and an exciting new brand for the digital age are built on solid investment and a simple belief that customers deserve better.
 
“We look forward to connecting the country with superfast mobile speeds in the coming weeks, months and years. And it starts today, with the announcement of our new business, our new brand, and a new digital infrastructure that the country can be proud of.”