UK mobile operator EE has announced plans to launch pay as you go smartphones on its 4G LTE network.

The carrier has also revealed a new range of 4G pay as you go smartphone plans. The Alcatel One Touch Idol S will be the first smartphone to become available on EE's new pay as you go plans and it will retail for £129.99 up front. Moreover, all smartphones that are currently available on EE's contract plans will be available on the new pay as you go, contract-free plans as well.

"One year after launch, we've extended the world's fastest network across 60% of the United Kingdom. But we want to bring the power of 4GEE to even more people," touted the carrier.

"That's why this month we are launching new plans for light users, super users, regular users, data sharers and Britain's mobile workforce up and down the country."

"Whether they want the flexibility of pay as you go, the UK's most affordable monthly plans, or to make the most from their smartphone with the world's fastest speeds and biggest data bundles, EE is the number one 4G network," the mobile carrier further boasted.

EE has also announced new 4G monthly plans that are now more affordable, with the cheapest one starting at just £18.99 per month.

Prepaid or pay as you go options are becoming increasingly popular among smartphone customers, as many prefer a more casual scheme buying the handset off-contract rather than committing to a lengthy carrier agreement.

Having the same smartphones that are available on contract plans available on pay as you go options as well will likely be well-received by UK consumers. If some years ago pay as you go options were limited to entry-level mobile phones, this is clearly no longer the case.

With EE's upcoming offerings, UK consumers will be able to blaze through the carrier's 4G LTE network using high-end smartphones on affordable pay as you go plans. For more details about the new deals, pricing and availability, check out the carrier's press release at this link.