Brussels, 12 March 2014 - As of March 31st, Mobistar is giving all its customers access to its brand-new 4G network with the best quality. Mobistar´s 4G network is at least 50 % faster than that of its competitors, as shown by a recent test that measures the speeds of the different networks. Mobistar´s 4G network will provide 270 cities and municipalities with a homogeneous coverage of at least 50 % of the Belgian population. As of March 31st, both private and business customers who use a tariff plan with mobile data can also use that data on the 4G network at no extra cost. Moreover, there is a seamless transition between the 3G and 4G networks, so that the customers enjoy an optimal customer experience.
Mobistar makes it a priority to offer an optimal 4G customer experience. A good indoor coverage is necessary for this, making it a condition for Mobistar to officially open a city with 4G. In 270 cities and municipalities Mobistar´s 4G network will provide at least 50 % of the population with indoor coverage, thus offering an excellent customer experience. In addition, nearly 800 of 2616 Belgian cities and municipalities have an outdoor 4G coverage of at least 50 %. Given that a homogeneous indoor and outdoor coverage is necessary for a good customer experience, Mobistar only officially opens new cities when there is such homogeneity. The quality of the 4G network is highly appreciated by the 6500 customers who participated in the 4G Discovery programme of Mobistar. From the survey of 750 participants asking about their 4G experience, it appears that 85 % have a better surfing experience with 4G than with 3G, that 63 % feel they can no longer do without 4G, and that 35 % have a better surfing experience with 4G than with their fixed internet connection at home.
In addition, the Ookla tests prove that the speed of Mobistar´s 4G network is at least 50 % higher than that of its competitors. Mobistar scores an average of 47Mbps on download speed, compared to 30Mbps for the historical operator and 22Mbps for the number 3. For uploading Mobistar achieves average speeds of 20Mbps, the historical operator 14Mbps and the third operator 13Mbps.
For Mobistar´s customers the changeover to 4G is very simple. A 4G-compatible device and a tariff plan with mobile data are sufficient to surf on the 4G network at no extra cost and without interruption when shifting from 3G to 4G. Both private and business customers qualify for this. Concretely, these are customers with a prepaid or a postpaid Dolphin tariff plan, a Panther subscription, and the Internet Everywhere or the Internet on Mobile formulas. Business customers too can use the mobile data volume that is included in their tariff plan on the 4G network at no extra cost. Private customers can verify their consumption at any time via the MyMobistar app. The customers receive an SMS when 80 % of the included surfing volume is used up. Once 100 % of the included mobile data volume is reached the network is interrupted and the customers can purchase extra mobile data as of 5 euros for 500 MB.
In February 2014 Mobistar did a survey amongst 1500 consumers on their 4G knowledge. It shows that 74 % of the interviewees know that a 4G-compatible device is necessary in order to be able to benefit from the 4G surfing experience. For all customers who do not yet have a 4G-compatible device, Mobistar offers an extensive line of 4G smartphones, 4G tablets and 4G mifis (Pocket Hotspots) in all price range in its Mobistar Centers. For customers who aren´t yet familiar with all of the functionalities of a 4G smartphone, there is the Smart Start programme, which assists customers with replacing the SIM card, transferring their personal data and configuring the e-mail. They also get an information session explaining the device´s many possibilities. As of March 31st this service is available for customers who buy a 4G-compatible device in all Mobistar Centers.