With EE’s pioneering 4G network now installed across the capital, London has already surpassed New York City for mobile data speeds. This partnership will enable Tech City to become the best connected tech hub in the world, and the best place for new businesses to thrive.
The move is expected to increase employment opportunities in the area, drive investment in the UK from around the world, and support the country’s economic growth.
Joanna Shields, CEO Tech City and UK Business Ambassador for Digital Industries, said:
“Double speed 4G will turn Europe’s Digital Capital into the World’s most connected tech hub. The lightning speed and capacity of the superfast 4G network provides businesses with unique opportunities to build, test, and develop the digital products and services of the future. This
game-changing investment will catalyse the next wave of innovation and creativity in digital and tech businesses, connect them to new markets around the world and support the growth of our brightest and best businesses.”
Olaf Swantee, CEO at EE, said “Twenty-first century business needs twenty first century infrastructure, and the digital backbone we have built across the UK has been designed to provide just that. We have the biggest and fastest network in the country – one that rivals anywhere in the world. The UK and the City of London are now leading the way, surpassing capitals like New York, and rivalling other major financial and business centres across the world.
“Our partnership with Tech City is designed to ensure UK businesses have the tools that they need to thrive, and to take the UK into a position as a world leader for technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.”
The launch of double-speed 4G from EE in Tech City brings fast mobile connectivity to the area, with headline speeds up to 80Mbps, and average speeds of 24-30Mbps. The network also has the capacity necessary to support the very high concentration of users in the area. EE has committed to launch its future 4G advances first in Tech City, ensuring the hub always has the best network.
In a recent independent network testing report of London from RootMetrics, EE ranked first for overall combined performance, mobile internet and text, as well as joint first for call performance. Average download speeds on 4G were 19.4Mbps, tested before the arrival of double-speed 4G.
The availability of high-performance, superfast mobile connectivity will reduce set-up time for new start-ups and increase working flexibility for businesses across the area, which has suffered from low speed fixed-line broadband. EE will install 4G mobile W-Fi hotspots in parts of Tech City, giving free superfast 4G access to all Wi-Fi enabled devices.
Tech City accredited businesses will also have access to the EE network’s real-time APIs (application programming interfaces). This will provide mobile developers with a significant time-to-market advantage in developing applications and services that can take full advantage of high-speed 4G networks.