4G launches in the UK

The first 4G mobile network went live in Manchester and Liverpool on Tuesday. It's nippy compared to its 3G counterpart, but not blistering.

They had more staff than customers at the store I was at in Manchester. Most people coming in were opting for 3G.

The first customer to switch from 3G to 4G in Manchester was this reporter:

To be fair, the phones perform faster - the speedtest above shows the difference.

But where is the potential 100Mbs we were once promised from 4G?

As EE launches the first 4G network we asked if you would taking advantage of the increased mobile internet today:

Fraser Cluness some areas still don't have 3g yet! finish on the job before starting another

Chesty Larue Not with their ridiculous costs, no

Paul Pilfold ill be sticking with me trusty old iphone3G its fast enough for what i use it for

You can join the conversation on the ITV News Facebook page.

For details about what 4G is, how it works and why it is only now being launched in the UK see our guide to what you need to know about 4G.

When the first 4G network launched last month, Consumer Editor Chris Choi looked at the considerable cost of joining this new generation.

Vodafone, O2 owner Telefonica and Three will launch their own 4G services and products next year.

The trio had threatened legal action against communications regulator Ofcom over its 4G auction process, which allowed EE to be the sole provider of the faster mobile service until next year.

The 4G network, will offer internet five times faster than 3G, and will be available to EE customers with Apple iPhones or smart phone devices from HTC, Samsung, Nokia and Huawei.

Today's launch comes amid criticism of EE's 4G pricing plans, which will hit customers on with additional charges if they exceed download allowances. Long queues are expected at shops across the country as consumers rush to sign up to the new service and get their hands on a 4G device.

Superfast 4G products and services have been made available to millions of mobile customers from today. EE, formerly known as Everything Everywhere, launched its range of 4G products and services this morning in ten cities across the UK:

• London
• Bristol
• Birmingham
• Cardiff
• Leeds
• Sheffield
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Liverpool
• Manchester