U.K. operator EE, whose brand is built around LTE, announced soaring user numbers for the technology. With the release of first-quarter results for 2015, EE said that it added 1.7 million LTE connections during the quarter, with 9.3 million users now on its LTE network. The company predicts that number will reach 14 million by the end of 2015.
The operator said its LTE coverage reaches 87% of the U.K. population, with its “double-speed” 4G network covering 67%. EE also said it would invest $2.31 billion in networks to reach 99% 4G population coverage and 90% geographic voice coverage by 2017. It also plans to roll out new services including LTE over its 800 MHz spectrum, voice over LTE, micro-network technology and a Wi-Fi calling service.
EE’s operating revenue for the quarter was $2.26 billion, down 1.1% year-over-year, which it blamed partly on regulatory impacts. It’s average revenue per user for mobile was also down slightly by .5%.
EE, which is in the process of being sold to BT for $19.22 billion, also paid out a $615.1 million dividend to shareholders of its previous owners Deutsche Telekom and Orange at the end of 2014, ahead of the BT sale, according to the Financial Times. The BT acquisition is awaiting approval by U.K. competition authorities, which the companies hope to secure by the end of the year.
More telecom news from Europe, the Middle East and Africa:
• EU considers 100 megabyte roaming allowance — report. The European Parliament and European Union member states are considering a rule that would obligate mobile operators to offer customers 100 megabytes of data a year at domestic rates when their customers are roaming within the 28-nation EU, according to a document seen by Reuters. Previously, EU lawmakers had voted to end roaming fees altogether by the end of this year, but that plan faced resistance from member states. Currently, the legislature is considering setting a certain roaming allowance. At issue now is the size of that allowance.
• Turkey may cancel 4G auction, skip to 5G. While Turkey’s mobile users currently rely on 3G technology, they may have to wait two years before jumping right into 5G, if the president has his way. Following comments by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, the country’s trade minister is reevaluating whether to hold the 4G spectrum auction, which was originally set for May 26. On offer were 20 frequency segments with a minimum value of $2.53 billion.
• Kenyan bank’s mobile loan service hits 2 million customers in two months. The Kenya Commercial Bank’s M-Pesa account has 2 million customers and loaned out $11 million within eight weeks, The Star reported. The bank’s platform allows customers to save and receive loans via their mobile phones. The bank’s managing director, Joshua Oigara, said the service performed “beyond expectations.” The company had originally set a goal of reaching 10 million customers by 2016, but given the high demand the bank will be revisiting that number.
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