Options
4G on Three Spring 2013
[Deleted User]
Posts: 4,512
Forum Member
✭✭✭
4G is coming to Three Mobile in Spring 2013.
Any news of where will get it first or when exactly?
Any news of where will get it first or when exactly?
0
Comments
Where did you find out that the rollout starts in spring? I thought they were waiting untill october time when ee handed over the 1800mhz. ( I may be wrong though )
No, no no What they actually said was they are building the network already and have been buying and planning since they knew they were getting the 1800mhz, as they couldn't justify beginning to build the network and all the costs if there was a risk a new entrant like BT did actually go for the 800Mhz and leave them with no spectrum.
When they knew what month they were getting the 1800Mhz spectrum in then they would naturally turn it on then assuming they didn't win any extra spectrum, however because they did, and because the kit is already being built, there's no reason why they shouldn't start turning on some sites at the end of May / beginning of June just like the others.
ahh okay yes I understand now, I naturally assumed they were not turning on some of the 800mhz sites until they had the 1800mhz as that will most likely comprise of the majority of the network, and also since they haven't posted any updates on there site ect. I would expect three to have a fast rollout considering they are the network built for the internet.
Not so sure about the fast roll-out, as they are buying Samsung base stations just for it, and it's not part of MBNL as I understand it. I would say it will be limited to certain areas to start with, and it may take a long time to expand as they aren't charging a premium for it. Users will still get dc-hspa and the backhaul and capacity of the 3G side will continue to be built out as well.
True, I wouldn't expect them to be that far behind the other networks, does the samsung kit do 3G as well as lte?
I would expect them to rollout volte or be one of the first networks to as i know samsung pride there LTE equipment as being good for it.
That's a bloody good question, I think it's going to be an addon to an MBNL site but I just don't know.
I wonder if anyone else knows more about the Samsung installations. I guess we'll find out in about 8 - 10 weeks when all the operators begin turning on their stuff, and then a little while after when we see it on Sitefinder.
Three say themselves "4G is coming to Three Mobile in Spring 2013"
That site is not owned by three but works with them, so I wouldnt trust it as much as the actually thre website but who knows. as long as they roll it out by the end of this year im happy
Just so you know store-3.co.uk is nothing to do with Hutchison Whampoa or Three UK. They are an Oxford based affiliate that very cheekily makes the site out to look like it's associated with Three. I guess Three aren't complaining as they generate a lot of sales.
However I'm sure the information they have has come from Three. I'm just pointing that out as people often think that site is official, and it's absolutely not associated with them.
I'm currently with 3 but my contract ends in May. I was planning to move to a different network with cheaper deals but am tempted to stay if Three become the next 4G network for 'free'
"The Samsung single platform solution enables 2G, 3G and 4G technologies in one unit. It supports both optic and Ethernet backhaul, offering easy deployment options. The unit is flexible enough to use in any standard 19-inch rack, ensuring rapid and easy installation."
Yes the Samsung cabinets do support 3G&2G but will not be used for that. They bought specifically these cabinets for two other reasons one of which has already been discussed on the forum
Well they awarded the contract last summer which said they would be building it early this year. If it fits in a standard 19" rack it is possible it fits in an MBNL cabinet or that no planning is required if it's one in, one out?
I'm sure somebody posted on here to say they had seen planning applications a couple of months ago.
Volte? im sure they would also run 3G on them to increase coverage. as they are capable of it.
http://www.telecoms.com/48540/samsung-deploys-three-uks-lte-network/
So I wonder if it's just a straight swapout, and the article seems to suggest 3 customers are using some of these LTE capable base stations at MBNL sites already, come end of May it may just be a case of flicking a switch to turn some areas on.
It sounds like every MBNL / 3 site will have this eventually as they describe the Samsung contract as 'network wide'.
So three no longer have any of there own 3G sites outside of MBNL?
But it always states the Samsung cabs for future planning application. You would assume the UK's top ten cities would have already seen applications. Nope. I'd expect them to start showing up shortly though for a pre Autumn switch on.
Three have not rolled out any 800 masts.. Can't get an early launch without these.
I'll eat my hat if I'm wrong but Three ain't launching before August.
Apparently so.. Happened when Orange sites started to come into the MBNL family I'm told...
(This excludes Seperate EE and Three pico cells in thier retail shops, which are not part of MBNL)
If 3 and EE are building 800MHz coverage via MBNL it would make sense for them to roll that out at the same time, so I would expect EE and 3 800MHz coverage to be broadly similar as upgrade and installations of both would cut costs for both operators.
The site that stated the Spring availability has an interest in promoting the network as it has a store that sells it's contracts so I would not read too much into what they state when they have a commercial interest.
3's own strategy has been to promote the 'Ultrafast' branding which covers both DC-HSPDA and LTE. Having made the point that there is little difference between these it would not make a huge amount of sense for them to invest lots in 4G until capacity demands it.
They may not need planning, or it may be the case (and I know this is wrong) but I hear sometimes they just put the kit there and don't say anything and if somebody complains they put in a retrospective and then appeal, appeal, appeal if necessary. It is almost never noticed anyway, as it's not like a new pole, it's just a new cab.
I'm not sure how true this is, but it may be cheaper to just do it. It's likely if it's only a cabinet to an existing mast that it would get retrospectively approved anyway.
That's if it's not already a swap-out for existing equipment or will fit within the existing rack space.
They may not invest in capatcity soon but they would need decent coverage as people looking for 4G ain't going to join them off its no good.
I think a lot of that goes on.
But I thi k the majority of it will be swap in and out. And then blackhall upgrade via mbnl. As the kit is able to fit in the same space cabs. And also do 3G
True but 3 are not selling 4G - they are selling 'Ultrafast' which will be a mix of 3G and 4G technology. I doubt if anyone will be bothered what the technology is as long as it performs well enough for their needs.