Vodafone has announced its 4G network plans for the UK. The network will be launched on 29th August and will initially only be available in London. Vodafone will try and differentiate its service by offering free video or music streaming packages; you can choose from either Sky Sports Mobile TV or Spotify Premium. You will be able to get a 12 month SIM-only deal from £26 per month or a 24 month contract with 4G handset from £34 per month. Both these contracts offer a standard 2GB of data use per month. However all customers will enjoy a 'Data Test Drive' for the first three months of their contracts with unlimited 4G data on offer.
Vodafone 4G areas
As mentioned above the initial launch area will be London. However, in the shortish-period to the end of the year, Vodafone says that the following cities will get coverage; Birmingham, Bradford, Coventry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. Furthermore Vodafone will bring indoor 4G coverage to 98 per cent of the UK population "over the next couple of years."
Vodafone 4G differentiation
Vodafone has put some thought into making its new 4G service 'special' and people signing up for the service will get a choice of sports or music media content to enjoy over their new fast 4G connections. Vodafone has partnered with Sky Sports and Spotify and these are the streaming media options you can choose from to enhance your contract.
The sports content will consist of "over 150 hours of live Barclays Premier League action on Sky Sports Mobile TV". If you like football that might be a great choice for you. Alternatively you can choose a free subscription to the Spotify Premium service and "Get instant access to millions of songs from your favourite artists when you’re out and about". These 'Red' media streaming bundles will be launched on 12 August, earlier than the 4G service itself as they are compatible with 3G streaming.
Watch the small print
Looking through the small print I noticed that the 12 month SIM-only and the Red 4G-ready plan, starting from £34 a month, customers will only get the free streaming media bundles for the first 6 months of their contracts. After that period users "are then charged at £4.99 per month for Sky Sports Mobile TV or £9.99 a month for Spotify Premium" but can cancel at any time. This in addition to the three month unlimited 'Data Test Drive' seems to make Vodafone's price plans a bit convoluted.
Vodafone 4G price plans 12 and 24 months
I've embedded images showing Vodafone's proposed price plans below. These pretty much speak for themselves. Remember that on some of Vodafone's deals the free streaming services come to an end after 6 months. Only the Red 4G-ready L plan, starting at £39, and the Red 4G-ready XL plan, starting at £44 get free streaming service for the lengths of their contracts.
12 month plans with and without free handset, above
24 month plans with free handsets, above
