It"s been almost two and a half years since EE launched as the UK"s first 4G mobile network. Launched by Everything Everywhere – the joint venture between Orange and Deutsche Telekom (owner of T-Mobile) – the EE brand has co-existed alongside those of T-Mobile and Orange, which have lived on in the UK as separate brands.
But as Mobile News reports, EE is finally killing off its two "legacy" brands, and from today, it will no longer sell new Orange or T-Mobile connections directly. Last year, the company ended online sales for these brands, but it was still possible to get a new connection via EE stores and independent retailers.
Indeed, if you still really, really want a new T-Mobile or Orange connection in the UK, it"s not too late, as independent companies will continue to offer them until March 2.
Almost a third of EE"s customers are now on a 4G plan, and over 90% of new customers joining the company are signing up to EE contracts, rather than those of T-Mobile or Orange, which has led to the decision to pull the plug on those brands in the UK.
Marc Allera, chief commercial officer of EE, says that all current T-Mobile and Orange customers will remain on their current price plans, but they will not be able to renew their existing plans once they reach the end of their contract. But he added that EE is "actively offering" exclusive discounts to customers on its legacy brands, to encourage them to upgrade to a 4G plan instead.
Further changes may be on the way for EE this year, if BT"s proposed takeover of the company goes ahead as planned.
Source: Mobile News