EE has predicted that 4G services will not remain a high-end luxury for long, with the introduction of cheaper 4G phones making the high-speed service available to the masses.
Currently restricted largely to premium, flagship phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One and BlackBerry Q10, 4G connectivity options will soon filter down the price points, the network has predicted, with mid-range and budget phones all set to get in on the act.
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He added: “It’s not just going to be a high-end playing field, there are mid-range and even some low-end 4G devices that we are beginning to see on roadmaps now that will launch in either Q4 of this year, so in the next few months, or certainly during the next year.”
Looking into the near future, Allera stated: “There will be a really good spread of devices featuring different specs and at different prices which means
While EE has offered 4G in the UK for close to a year, the parent company of Orange and T-Mobile has seen its first competition enter the 4G fray in recent days as both the O2 4G and Vodafone 4G networks were launched.
Not threatened by the competition, Allera has claimed that EE is focussed solely on improving its own network and services and has predicted that, although 4G contracts are more expensive than 3G tariffs, they will soon filter down to all areas of the market.
“4G is a premium service and so people are paying a little bit more for a faster and better service and the devices which are currently available for it are, in the main, high-end devices only,” Allera told us.
He added: “As the devices become more accessible, which means the price points become more accessible to consumers, that’s going to be the tipping point where 4G becomes the norm and people will be prepared to pay just a little bit extra for a better, much faster internet experience.”
Would a range of cheaper 4G phones tempt you into making the jump to a 4G service? Let us know via the comments box below.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
