Hasta La Gadget!

UK 4G network EE will close 78 stores across the UK, the carrier has confirmed, as it pares back unneeded retail floorspace following the harmonized rebranding of T-Mobile and Orange locations. The shuttering will affect more than 10-percent of EE’s total retail locations, the FT reports, after the common branding led to some EE stores being just a few paces apart.

“Where we have two EE stores in very close proximity to each other – in some places they are just a door away – we have decided to consolidate” an EE spokesperson confirmed. “This makes commercial sense and will also help us manage the high levels of demand in our stores and improve the customer experience.”

EE – also known as Everything Everywhere – is the combined brand of T-Mobile UK and Orange, which began back in 2009. However, it was only late last year that physical stores lost their individual branding and were brought in line with the EE scheme; ironically, EE refurbished all its stores first and then apparently decided on which to close.

Staff in the affected stores are, for the most part, expected to be transferred to other nearby EE locations. Subscribers of the two networks began sharing each others’ airwaves back in 2010, but only new EE subscribers get LTE service.

EE paring back store saturation: 78 locations to close is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple’s 4G-blessed iPad mini has gone on sale with UK carrier EE today, with the 7.9-inch tablet subsidized down to £50 ($80) if you’re willing to commit to two years of LTE. The iPad mini WiFi + Cellular is offered with 3GB, 5GB, or 8GB of LTE data per month, priced at £25.99, £30.99, or £35.99 per month respectively. Alternatively, there’s a cheaper way to get online at LTE speeds if you’re willing to pay full-whack for the tablet.

EE offers a 4G SIM-only tablet plan, based on a rolling 30-day contract with no two-year commitment. It’s priced at £15.99 per month with 5GB of data, and includes the first month of data free as well. Eventually, it’ll offer inclusive WiFi through BT’s network of hotspots.

If you can foot the upfront bill, it’s worth your while. Pay for a full-price iPad mini 16GB 4G (£269 £369 in the UK) and two years of LTE service on the 5GB plan will come to £736.77 in all; in comparison, EE’s subsidized device and the same 5GB plan will cost £793.75 over the same 24-month period.

As we found with the Verizon iPad mini 4G, the tablet makes for a very usable mobile hotspot. We saw runtimes in wireless sharing mode far in excess of what any traditional mobile hotspot would offer, with the added reassurance that it’s not your phone getting drained.

More on the iPad mini in our full review.

iPad mini 4G hits EE’s LTE from £50 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Londoners enjoyed not only “the greatest show on earth” this summer, but also free tube WiFi courtesy of Virgin Media. It’s due to remain complimentary for what’s left of the year, but if you’re with EE, you’ll be able to continue updating your status from subterranean platforms in 2013. The UK‘s first 4G provider has struck a deal to hook its customers up to Virgin’s underground WiFi infrastructure, although the announcement seems to have gone out a little earlier than planned. EE tweeted the news then swiftly retracted it, but has since replied to Mr. Miles at Pocket-lint confirming the partnership, at least for however long that message stays… yep, it’s gone. If you’re not on EE, don’t get your sad face on just yet, as there are rumors circulating that other carriers will be piggybacking on Virgin’s hotspots, too — they just haven’t accidentally announced it yet.

Update: It’s now officially official, and Vodafone’s on board as well. Next year, tube WiFi will stay free for those signed with either EE or Voda, and Virgin will be offering pay-as-you-go options for those that aren’t: daily, weekly or monthly access from £2 per day (roughly $3.20). Virgin is also hooking up another 48 stations, with 20 due to be switched on this December and 28 in early 2013. If you’re wondering whether your local station is one of the score being hooked up this month, they’re all listed in the PR below.

Continue reading EE strikes deal with Virgin Media to give its customers free tube WiFi in 2013 (update: Vodafone, too)

Filed under: Transportation, Wireless, Mobile

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Via: Pocket-lint

Source: EE (Twitter), Stuart Miles (Twitter)

UK 4G carrier EE has finally begun offering its SIM-only plans, having delayed the launch of the off-contract LTE packages following tardy testing troubles. The new plans – which rely on users bringing their own 4G-compatible device, such as the unlocked iPhone 5 Apple stores offer in Europe – offer a monthly discount on the regular charges, though exactly how much you save depends on how willing you are to tie yourself to the carrier.

“We’re really pleased to announce our superfast 4GEE SIM-only plans have launched today for customers. They are available initially to buy online or over the phone through our customer services team” an EE spokesperson told us today. “They will also soon be available in store and we’ll confirm a start date very shortly. The 12 month plans are £15 per month cheaper than our 24 month plans that include handsets – customers just need to pick their data plan.”

There are four tiers to choose from, starting at £21 per month for 500GB of data, then rising to £26 for 1GB, £31 for 3GB, or £36 for 5GB; no 8GB option at this stage. All plans include unlimited calls and texts.

Currently, there’s no sign of the 30-day rolling contract option, which only saves £5 off of the monthly fee, in return for even greater freedom to leave the network if you’re not getting on with its 4G coverage. There’s also apparently the option for a £5 roaming add-on – for unlimited roaming minutes and texts – though only with a 24-month plan.

More details on the EE SIM-only plans here.

EE’s delayed LTE SIM-only plans go on sale is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

UK 4G carrier EE has postponed the launch of its SIM-free plans, frustrating unlocked iPhone 5 owners in the process, after delays in the testing procedure. Originally expected to go live for new sign-ups today, the SIM-free plans will now :be delayed by a few days,” EE told Coolsmartphone, pushing the launch back into early next week, though not as bad as the carrier previously warned.

In a tweet sent out last night, EE admitted that its SIM-free plans might be delayed by as much as two weeks, though failed to give any indication as to why the schedule had changed. Those exact reasons are still in short supply, with EE only blaming its testing process in general.

“The launch of SIM only plans (due Nov 9) will be delayed by a few days as a result of our comprehensive testing process over-running slightly. We know many customers are anticipating these plans and apologise for this short hold up. However they will be reassured that we are determined to offer the very best service possible” EE

However, there have been anecdotal reports across Twitter and other channels of users – whether EE subscribers, or T-Mobile UK/Orange subscribers – experiencing issues keeping a stable connection and achieving 4G/3G speeds. There’s also a fair degree of rebranding confusion, with T-Mobile and Orange subscribers not understanding why the new umbrella “EE” brand is suddenly showing up on their phone.

EE’s pricing for SIM-free plans is somewhat more palatable than its widely-criticized regular plans. The company offers £15 per month off of its regular contract plans, with a twelve month agreement; alternatively, there’s £5 per month off for 30-day rolling contract plans.

Update: EE has given us a new version of the statement, which switches the “few days” of the first to “within the next two weeks.”

“Our 4GEE SIM only plans will now be launching within the next two weeks. We know many customers are keen to get their hands on our SIM only plans and we are looking forward to offering them as soon as our testing process is complete. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause” EE

EE delays UK LTE SIM-free option after testing drags is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.