Virgin are just a MVNO on the former T-mobile side. As EE are launching a new brand for LTE they will no doubt want some exclusivity for a while, after a year or so I'm sure they'll allow MVNOs to start selling 4G on the same basis, but initially I think EE want exclusivity.

We'll have to wait and see though, I don't think anyone knows for certain.

Well, I got another PM in response to my post - apparently it will be made available to Virgin but not for quite a while, well into next year.

Shame, I liked the look of the new Virgin SIM-only tariffs as I need a second number for work.
But I'd much rather get an LTE-capable service as I'm pretty certain I'll be getting given an LTE handset.

With the i phonebeing announced wednesday , and there being a new 4g network, what happens if you get the new I phone on contract on Orange? Wont you be able to get 4g in this network , and only on their new one ?

Orange and T-Mobile customers should be able to use LTE, provided they have an LTE-capable handset (so that would only be the new iPhone, older models are not compatible) but until there's an official announcement, there's no way to be 100% certain.

It will be new tarrifs, new contracts to get on it. So I'm being told.

There may well be a paid booster required or something, I'm not claiming otherwise.
The point was more that, based on what I've been told, it won't be restricted to just this third brand they're launching - LTE will definitely be available in some way for Orange customers and T-Mobile customers.

EEEh look at that, there was a big switch

So if you are on orange/tmobile and want to switch to 4G they will shift you to EE FOC providing you signup to a new priceplan with equal or greater length.

Just confirmed at the Apple Keynote, iPhone 5 will have LTE, working with EE in the UK.

I am out of contact next month and keen to get a 4G phone (ideally S3). Any ideas when we can get one of these. I am near Manchester so not in the initial testing area but don't want to be locked into a non-4G phone/contract for 24 months....