iPhone 5 will be compatible with EE's upcoming 4G network in the UK

Apple has revealed that the forthcoming iPhone 5 will work on the EE's newly announced 4G network in Britain.

That means that iPhone 5 users on Orange or T-Mobile's network will get speeds that are up to five times faster than the current 3G standard. Which is all rather exciting.

Unfortunately, it's not good news for anyone else: the iPhone 5 won't be compatible with next year's 4G networks from others UK carriers like Vodafone or O2.

This is because EE has created its 4G network by reallocating some of the old 2G frequency allocation it has on the 1800MHz band. Other networks will use a different part of the spectrum.

Still, it's not all doom and gloom. The iPhone 5 will be compatible with Three's 4G network when it launches during the second half of next year, due to the company's agreement with EE.

It's also possible that Apple will update the iPhone 5 to work with newly launched 4G networks, much like it did in the US with the iPhone 4 when CDMA-based network Verizon jumped on-board. It does mean, however, that you'd have to buy another phone.

EE's 4G network will launch in 16 major UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Bristol, before 2012 is out. The iPhone 5's out next week.