Vodafone UK is set to launch LTE on 29 August in London with a clear emphasis on the content that users can access through its new high-speed service.

The operator highlighted content deals it has struck with Spotify and Sky Sports. Tariffs for its LTE service, which is called Red 4G-ready, start from £26 per month. The new price plans will be available from 12 August.

It will share its launch date with rival O2, which recently announced its own rollout and tariffs.

After London, Vodafone ’s intention is to launch LTE in 12 more cities before the end of 2013. Vodafone says it will invest £900 million in the high-speed network this year.

The aim is to bring indoor LTE coverage to 98 per cent of the population by 2015.

Customers who already have a LTE device and want a SIM-only deal can get the new service from £26 per month on a 12-month deal. The new service is also available on a 24 month plan, with a LTE handset included, starting from £34 per month. Alternatively, users can pay from £52 per month for a 12 month plan (also with handset included).

In contrast to Vodafone’s content-focused plans, rival EE, which has made the early running with its LTE service, has majored on its coverage plans and network speed.

EE said in July that its LTE network now covered 95 towns and cities, equivalent to 60 per cent population coverage, and is on track to hit 98 per cent population coverage by 2014.

O2 announced its plans earlier this month. Its rollout schedule (13 cities by end of this year) is similar to Vodafone’s. It also put an emphasis on indoor coverage. Rival Three UK has yet to announce its LTE plans.