O2 Cuts 4G Prices, Offers Free Upgrades To Existing Customers

O2 has announced cheaper 4G tariffs and increased data allowances for its customers.

From Thursday, the company has started offering new ‘Refresh’ pay monthly contracts with 1GB of 4G data for as little as £17 per month. To get 1GB of data on a SIM-only contract, customers will need to spend £21 per month, down from £26.

Meanwhile, existing 4G customers will have their data allowance increased, and existing 3G customers will receive a free upgrade to 4G, as long as they pay for at least 1GB of data and own a compatible device.

O2 previously said the roll-out of its next generation network is actually happening faster than expected.

Price warfare

Since being launched at the end of August, O2’s 4G network has covered three cities and over 140 surrounding areas, with the infrastructure roll-out planned for 2013 finishing six weeks ahead of schedule.

The super-fast mobile network is now available in Birmingham, Bradford, Coventry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, London and Nottingham. O2 claims that it can now offer 4G connectivity to almost a third of the UK population, and calls this the fastest network rollout in its history.

From Thursday, pay monthly customers can choose a £17 contract with 1GB of 4G data, £22 contract with 5GB or £27 with 8GB. O2 has also made the next generation connectivity more affordable on SIM-only ‘Simplicity’ accounts, with 1GB, 3GB and 8GB bundles all becoming £5 cheaper. All of the aforementioned deals include unlimited calls and texts.

“We are committed to helping our customers unleash the possibilities of 4G, which is why we’re introducing these new tariffs designed to give even more people the chance to experience the very best in mobile technology,” commented Phil Maple, general manager of Consumer Marketing at O2.

EE announced a similar price reduction in October.

Vodafone has recently extended its introductory offer of unlimited data for three months and an extra 4GB thereafter to all customers who sign up for 4G before the end of January.

Meanwhile, Three has become the last of the major UK networks to roll out its own 4G network, starting with Birmingham, London, Manchester and Reading. The company offers faster connectivity to any of its customers at no extra charge.

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