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EE is adding pay as you go to its roster of 4G services, with new plans that see you paying for calls, texts and data separately, and a selection of budget 4G phones.
The new deals, which launch on 30 October and sit alongside the operator’s pay monthly and SIM-only contracts, let you top up on calls, minutes and data as necessary.
The cheapest pay as you go data bundle costs £3, for a 100MB 30 day bundle. 10GB is the biggest bundle EE is offering, and will set you back £30.
Call time is bought in blocks of minutes, meanwhile. 100 minutes costs £3, while 400 texts can be yours for £2.
To get calls, data and texts on pay as you go therefore could cost as little as £8 in total — though you’d likely burn through that before very long. EE showed me how you’ll be topping up on data: when you run out, the Internet will be cut off, and you’ll get redirected to a site where you can buy more. You can also top up via the EE mobile app.
Pay as you go phones
EE says that every 4G phone it offers on contract will be available on pay as you go, though expect to shell out hundreds of pounds for pricier devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
The 4.7-inch Alcatel One Touch Idol S will be easier to afford, costing from £130, according to EE. The operator says it’ll also be offering the Nokia Lumia 625, for £150.
EE is the first UK network to offer a 4G pay as you go scheme, but that’s hardly surprising as O2 and Vodafone have only just launched their own 4G networks.
The addition of pay as you go is a sign that EE is responding to the sudden influx of 4G competition from rival networks. Here’s hoping O2, Vodafone and Three kick off their own 4G pay as you go plans soon, at which point we may see prices drop.
EE is also splitting its 4G contracts into two categories — regular 4GEE and 4GEE ‘Extra’, which is faster but costs more.
Will you sign up for pay as you go 4G? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook wall.
