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No one said auctioning-off spectrum for the rollout of 4G in the UK would be simple, but it’s getting pretty damn complicated that’s for sure. We’ve already heard that Everything Everywhere could bog it all down with litigation should it be in-the-clear for its 1800MHz 3G to 4G switch. Now Three, Britain’s smallest network, is frightened it’s going to get squeezed-out of the better 800MHz band, and so is threatening legal action of its own should Ofcom not do something more to help it out.
The thing is Ofcom’s already said that it’ll hold back one chunk of spectrum in either the 800 or 2600MHz band for a “fourth player” under draft rules for the auction. That means that Vodafone, Everything Everywhere and O2 will all have to duke it out amongst themselves for the rest of the spectrum allocation. Three, or someone else presumed to be smaller than the “big three”, would be able to then nab a bit of the allocated 4G spectrum without getting out-bid by the big boys.
Three’s Hong Kong-based tycoon-of-a-backer, Li Ka Shing, said that without spectrum in the 800MHz band, Three wouldn’t be viable. That may be, and Three might be smaller by customer number, but at least Vodafone thinks Three isn’t short of a bob or two:
“3 is backed by a multibillion-pound business the size of Barclays bank so has plenty of resources to take part in a fair and open auction.”
What a mess this could all turn out to be. We’re already very late on getting 4G up-and-running here in Blighty, and at this rate we could be the last in Europe – leagues behind the US and Germany. Whether or not Everything Everywhere gets the green light over its 4G plans for the end of the year, 2013 looks like it’s going to be mighty interesting as the UK’s networks lock-horns and tussle over position and spectrum pecking order. I wouldn’t want to be Ofcom stuck in the middle of this massive potential mess. [The Guardian]
Image credit: Mobile mast from Shutterstock
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This is disappointing – at the end of the day ordinary customers are going to lose out. I thought the whole point of competiton was to avoid situations like this?
I joined Three last year and they are by far the best Network for signal and deals. With O2 and Vodafone I could never get any 3G signal anywhere and standard signal was poor in most areas I go to in the UK. Their deals also suck as you get like 500mb on a contract that is £40 or whatever and then they charge you £10 per GB……
So tbh 4G would be lost on these companies and in America 4G is only running at 3G speeds and most often less anyways.
Orange/TMobile have a great service with slightly better deals but it still isn’t up to scratch and they still charge loads for data if you go over your limit.
Three offer unlimited data for £35 a month along with loads of texts and phone mins with The One Plan. Also their signal is amazing, I can get 3G signal anywhere I go with them and it’s so fast compared to any Network I’ve tried or been on in the past.
I really want Three to do well and Win whatever they have to because if there are no networks offering a good service, I just wont buy a mobile.
Vodafone is the best network for signal where I live. Saying 3 is the best network for signal is totally arbitrary and depends on where you are located.
Can go anywhere in the UK and Three provide the best 3G signal and the best pricing for it. Never got any on Vodafone and they charge an arm and a leg for it. Still haven’t been to a place where you do not get it on Three.
Im going to agree with you. I started on Vodac ( vodafone ) in the 80s then moved onto Cellnet then onto Orange with Wildfire. Soon as wildfire was cut i moved to O2 and over the last few years O2 and Vodafone services have got worse. Orange to be honest where never the ring leader Tmobile or 1 2 1 as they was will never have the gumption to do anything constructive because Orange carry them. I moved to 3 in Dec 2011 After leaving O2 after a good 8 yrs and Orange was the one i took the offer on. I had a Samsung Galaxy SII well not one but 9 handsets in 10 months. Signal Issues all over the UK and Ireland. So i was told get an Iphone 4s it has dual antennas so you should be ok.. Well it was useless and went back within a week. hardly any signal wouldnt switch to T mobile when signal was low. I gave up. Cancelled the Contract down they sent me a pac code after a fortnight of arguments to release my number i had got from 02 years ago. I turned to 3 on the one plan. Unlimited data 2000 x net mins and 5000 landline or 3 to 3 mins unlimited texts. So I gave this the bash.. Now i have constant 3G what a bonus Internet access at all times. without waiting for pages to load. Apps load quickly. The only place it hasnt worked so far is in Southern Ireland when you get no 3G coverage at all. just the dot. even when roaming in Isle of man its on SURE 3G and works fine. Good on 3 All they need now is a system like Wildfire a personal assistant on the voicemail number to help you all day.
3 has come on leaps and bounds since they started and there coverage is by far the best now today. I do carry a phone on O2 which is on the same band as Voda but it struggles to keep up with 3 now days. Best connection i have seen on o2 is EDGE seen 3G in London but lasted 30 seconds before going back to E on the Display.. Been with mobiles since Analogue The days of changing the battery whilst in a call and going back to your call are long gone. Today is good on 3 tomorrow will get better. Bring on 3 ( 4G ) Another thing they need is in home signal boosters. Because todays homes seem to have materials that block mobile signals. Come on 3 we know you have the Technology Boosters in the home and The old Wildfire Assistant please. !!