Three to Launch UK 4G Service in December - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Three to Launch UK 4G Service in December

by

3Vector P-BFollowing the launches of O2, Vodafone, and EE's 4G LTE networks in the UK, mobile service provider Three has announced that it is launching its 4G network within the region by December. Existing customers on Three's network will get 4G service at no extra charge upon launch, with plans for new customers being priced competitively against other carriers.

Three's LTE service is notable for being compatible with the iPhone 5's network bands, and will also allow consumers to select devices that are compatible with the new service. The company also announced earlier this week that it would abolish roaming charges for service in seven countries.

I'm really pleased to announce, that in December, London, Birmingham and Manchester will see the start of our 4G roll out. That’s not a bad early Christmas present is it? Even better than that, we'll be busy rolling out in a further 50 cities by the end of 2014. And by the end of 2015? Well we aim to have covered a massive 98% of the population by then.

The carrier also plans to include its "All You Can Eat" data plans in its new 4G service at no extra cost. Three's service in the UK was originally launched in 2003, and had a total of 8.8 million subscribers as of 2012.

Top Rated Comments

165 months ago
Three are a fantastic network for just about everything.

The customer service has improved dramatically in recent years.
The signal is great (particularly within or close to cities).
The network speeds are unbeatable.
The data packages are unbeatable.

Having used all networks in the UK, Three are by far the best (IMO). Perfect coverage everywhere I have been/travel to (a lot of different areas).
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
leon44 Avatar
165 months ago
3 was notoriously **** about 5 years ago, Alan Carr even had a specific stand up routine about how you couldn't get any signal on 3.
Now I can honestly say it's slowly somehow become the best network in the UK. Fast unlimited 3G almost everywhere and cheaper than anyone else. They're not wasting their money on free gimmicks and ridiculously high profile marketing campaigns, they're just undercutting everyone and being better. Nice one 3.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
retrospek Avatar
165 months ago
I love Three.. For 18 pounds per month I get unlimited data, 2000 minutes and 2000 texts...

My only complaint is I wish they would implement Visual Voicemail !
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
165 months ago
Geez Louis, we've had all u can eat and 4g since five years ago. UK really is behind Asia

Yeah but I'd rather be in London than anywhere in Asia!:)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
165 months ago
I thought the UK was ahead of the US in terms of cell service but it sounds like the UK was behind and is now catching up ?

No but the US is way ahead in charging way too much for it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
165 months ago
It says it quite clearly in the article posted by Macrumors....

Existing customers on Three's network will get 4G service at no extra charge upon launch, with plans for new customers being priced competitively against other carriers.

----------



In the article...

Existing customers on Three's network will get 4G service at no extra charge upon launch, with plans for new customers being priced competitively against other carriers.

----------

REMEMBER
With Three, there is no 2 or 2.5G fallback. If you can't get a 3G signal you can't make calls.
With EE, they have the best 2/2.5G network so if 3G/4G isn't available you can still make calls.

When I was on Three, call quality was often poor. I've been on EE since January and its excellent.

http://blog.three.co.uk/2013/08/29/get-ready-for-4g/

Nothing about existing customers. So it's just macrumors doing creative writing.

And regarding fallback, the other networks (namely EE but also O2) rely too much on this legacy network and failt to upgrade/improve 3G networks so often I have full 3G on three and I'm only able to get full EDGE (2.5) service on my tmobile sim card. Similar thing with O2 (I used o2 before three).

Three is the only provider that consistently gives me full internet and excellent signal pretty much anywhere I go. Signal for others (again: EE-O2) is patchy very often, and yes you can receive calls on their legacy networks but pretty much nothing else.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era

Saturday April 18, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available...
macworld iphone 18 pro colors

iPhone 18 Pro's Four Rumored Colors Revealed, Including 'Dark Cherry'

Friday April 17, 2026 3:50 am PDT by
A source said to be familiar with Apple's supply chain today revealed the color options Apple is planning for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the upcoming foldable iPhone. Image via Macworld. The information comes from Macworld, which says the signature new color for this year's Pro models will be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-like red. While other sources had previously reported on a...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Saturday April 18, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...