Here is a short breakdown and a little simplified look at the 4G situation, these views are of my own.
So the role out of the 4GEE company and connection is essentially up and running and FUCK ME you better have a damn good job and fuck load of money to use this!
OK first things first, what is 4G?
Really fast internet access using your mobile, claiming up to 7 times faster than 3G which in turn would be about 4 times faster than H+ (a faster 3G not available on all networks).
What perks do you get with 4G?
Really fast internet.
Anything Else?
Not really no, however there are some but not related to 4G itself.
OK so looking at EE's website which besides being pretty and nicely done it did take me a while before I came across the tariff and my dear did I have a heart attack!!
Considering the UK is in a recession, how much do you really realistically want to spend on a contract?
Well you my friend will be stuck if you were expecting more internet access without the cost as the prices START at £36. These increase with how much data you want HOWEVER they do not offer unlimited 4G connection.
Now I am going to point out it does include UNLIMITED CALLS and TEXT on ALL tariffs. However, how many people are going to be able to afford these contracts realistically?
Starting at £36, all tariffs have unlimited calls and texts, we can focus on the price for like on other networks (24 month contracts basis unless stated otherwise):
O2
On and On - £36 - Unlimited calls and texts, 2GB data and a new phone 12 available
On and On - £36 - Unlimited calls and texts, 1GB data and a new phone 19 available
Sim only - £20 - Unlimited calls and texts, 1GB Data (12 Months)
Vodaphone
£29-£37 - Unlimited calls and texts, 1GB data and a new phone 19+ available
(depending on phone)
Sim only - Unlimited calls and texts, 1GB data (12 months)
Giff Gaff - £25- (Sim only) - 1500 mins, Unlimited, texts and 3G (Monthly)
3 - Unlimited data, 2,000 minutes, 5,000 Three-to-Three minutes, 5,000 texts
Considering you can pretty much get unlimited internet access or adequate amount for around £36 a month from any other network on a sim only plan or with a phone why would you get this?
Easiest way is to weigh up the pros and cons as there are some brilliant pros but some disappointing cons too.
Pros
Unlimited Calls and Text - This extends to the EU as well and world Zone A so you will have no issues using your phone on holiday in Europe as they will come out of your inclusive minutes and texts!
DAMN FAST internet connection - download a full HD film in minutes or song in seconds!
New Phone - Every contract consists of a brand new phone! Samsung S3, Iphone 5, Huawei Ascend P1, Nokia Lumia 820, HTC One XL, and others available!
Tethering is ALLOWED! - With some phone companies they have a track on whether you are using your phone as a modem and tend to dislike you doing so.
Cons
Price range - Unrealistic for the masses particularly in this double dip recession where everyone is trying to save every penny.
Data Limitation - Although the average user uses very little (apparently ranging from 250-500mb) with the introduction of faster connection, people will be tempted to use more and thus require more data usage, which in turn (after they use up their usage) they will be stuck using the same as everyone else which is WIFI (except those with unlimited 3G) particularly when the promote the use of downloading HD stuff easily, 500MB is about an episode of your typical show.
No Sim Only Plan - Currently unavailable however it is coming to light that there is a possibility of a sim only tariff arriving soon.
Location Limitations - Only available in certain cities.
As most people (I hope) are thinking about this rationally, unless you are in these 11cities all the time, you won't actually be using or paying for a 4G connection but a normal 3G connection so it makes it redundant for the masses outside this area. Saying that they picked the cities with the wealthiest population, London, Liverpool, Manchester, etc.
With the limitations of the connection, you will use that 500mb up quickly with a faster connection as you will be more tempted to use it, and 3G is not exactly slow and if you have an S3 on O2 you will have experienced the use of H+ connection and how fast that is already (which by the way is fast enough to stream 720p HD). I am told H+ is also available with Vodafone.
So for the same price, you get a new phone, unlimited calls and texts but bigger data usage, slower connection but realistically adequate connection for social media sites and check emails for the general public. There are locations where 3G signal isn't great although having 4G isn't actually going to help as comparing to the coverage map on EE, O2 and Vodafone, the signal is roughly the same however experiences may vary.
My personal look on this is, there is no justification for switching over from your current provider to EE.
UNLESS you are loaded and have a lot of money to splash, then by all means. However for the likes of those on a budget (which I can only assume is a majority of people who will ever read this far) it is not worth spending another £10-£30 a month for a faster connection.
Not forgetting, realistically, it costs little for them to allow people to use 4G, it is the development costs that they are trying to break even with by putting crazy prices on. (It has cost them £1.5 billion to develop).
According to Marketing Director of EE who was on Radio1, they're only asking for 10% premium back... I'll let you do the maths ;-)
Needless to say, people are being sceptical, some people are being enthusiastic and me... I'm being realistic, I cannot afford it and I'm still in a contract... for another year... and do not have issues with using wifi. The Pros for me were not necessities and as such does not justify the payment.
However this is all on first glance I would really like to know what you guys think! Please drop a comment down below so we can DISCUSS!!!!!!
As mentioned before this is only a quick overview and there may be things I left out therefore any comments are welcome. These views are of my own and was done during an evening of boredom. :P
All sites accessed on the 30/10/2012
EE.co.uk
o2.co.uk
Vodafone.co.uk
three.co.uk
giffgaff.com
