O2 has followed its two largest rivals in unveiling new LTE tariffs, which confirm the tough job UK consumers will have in picking their way through the competing offers now available from the country’s operators.

O2’s charges for its LTE service include a 12-month SIM-only package at £26 per month for 1GB of data, an offer which is not as attractive as Vodafone’s recently-announced comparable £26 per month for 2GB.

Meanwhile EE is also offering a 12-month SIM-only deal for £26 per month and 1 GB of data (although the operator does offer a £21 monthly subscription for 500MB).

But at the higher end of its SIM-only pricing strategy, O2 looks better value. It is charging £27 per month and £32 per month for 5GB and 8GB, respectively. But these are special offers, valid only until the end of October which then revert to 3GB and 5GB.

Vodafone’s upscale SIM-only packages have monthly charges of £31 and £36 for 4GB and 8GB, respectively. And EE is charging £36 per month and £41 per month for 5GB and 8GB.

O2 also has tariffs for users buying a LTE handset on top of a subscription. Monthly device payments range from £10 to £25. The most basic 24-month subscription for the O2 Refresh tariff is £22 for 1GB, followed by £27 for 5GB (a special offer that reverts to 3GB after the end of October) but handset costs have to be added.

In contrast, Vodafone offers £34 monthly for 2GB of data, including for example a free Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini. Or EE offers £41 for 2GB of data including free Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini.

The three operators also include varying amounts of content in their package. Vodafone in particular has made much of its Spotify and Premier League football. In its pricing announcement, O2 has talked up its “heartland of music, sport and now gaming”.

All packages typically include unlimited calls and text.