EE and Vodafone to switch on Channel Tunnel 4G network

EE and Vodafone plan to offer 4G services throughout the Channel Tunnel by this summer, as part of a 10-year deal with Eurotunnel.

The arrangement means customers that make the 35 minute journey from the UK to France will be able to access the internet, check emails and watch movies using EE and Vodafone's superfast networks.

Furthermore, 2G and 3G services will be made available along the route, as part of the deal. These are set to go live along the UK to France line in March.

However, when EE 4G users leave the tunnel and enter France, they will no longer be able to use the superfast network and will be switched over to the local 2G or 3G network instead, according to a post on the EE website.

Fotis Karonis, chief technology officer at EE, said the project will hugely benefit the many business workers who regularly use the Channel Tunnel for work purposes.

"Being connected is such an important part of travelling now and this will be another route we've covered with 4G, making a huge difference to millions of customers who can now make the most of their journey time," Karonis said.

News of EE's Channel Tunnel work follows on from the firm's recent announcement that two million customers have now signed up to use its 4G network since its launch in October 2012.

In that time, EE has switched on the network in around 160 towns and cities across the UK, and has also started offering double-speed 4G in certain major cities too.