Google has just launched its Google Play gifts cards in Germany and France as it expands availability in Europe. The only supported regions previously were the United States and the United Kingdom.

EE, the U.K.’s first and only 4G LTE carrier, revealed its latest network expansion and 4G LTE plans last night. This is a huge benchmark for the company as it strives to stand out from other competitors when they eventually unveil their 4G LTE services later this year.

EE has expanded its rapidly-growing 4G LTE network yet again to cover an additional 12 markets across the United Kingdom. This expansion brings the total number of markets up to 74, and EE claims its 4G services now covers more than 50% of the U.K. population.

EE has today announced that its 4G network is now available in another 12 towns across the United Kingdom, bringing the total number of 4G connected towns and cities to 62 in just six months following its launch. That’s 50% of the U.K. now covered by 4G, and EE is aiming to increase that to 70% by the end of the year.

The United Kingdom is a little late to 4G — just a few months ago, 4G networks didn’t exist. Now it has one, EE, which is quickly trying to expand its 4G coverage across the country. It began its rollout in 11 major cities, and the company has announced today that it will be reaching an additional 17 by March 2013.