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O2 and Vodafone get nod from Ofcom for early 4G rollout
Thine Wonk
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UK OPERATORS O2 and Vodafone have been given the green light to launch 4G services in the first half of 2013, as the networks' peace talks conclude with a happy ending.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2214135/o2-and-vodafone-get-nod-from-ofcom-for-early-4g-rollout
Good news for consumers at last now the delaying and arguing has stopped.
EE confirmed to launch "within the next few weeks".
3 Confirmed an 1800Mhz launch next year.
O2 and Voda launch in the first 1/2 of 2013.
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Their constant whining over the years should've had its consequences.
There are coverage requirements for all operators who use the to be auctioned 800Mhz spectrum, 98% 4G coverage by 2017.
It's possible in theory that they might not win any spectrum in the auction (extremely unlikely though).
98% Coverage by 2017 is a laugh. O2 will provide 82% coverage by 2017 and then Ofcom will give them 12 months to pull their finger out and O2 will be laughing all the way to the bank :mad:
http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2012/10/02/delivering-4g-mobile-for-consumers/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4g
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19804578
They have asked Arquiva (the merged national grid wireless and NTL broadcast, the people who own all the TV masts) to clear the DTT frequencies early so this can happen and O2 / Voda can launch earlier than expected.
Who's complaining
Ee should never have got the go ahead in the first place ahead of other providers. All down to funny handshakes.
Oh no, I am getting as bad as a mate of mine, but maybe there is something to this funny handshake business after all.
You seem oblivious to the fact Three can also launch early if they acquire spectrum at the auction! Also, there's very little chance of the auction being brought forward; the operators will be planning for January - if Ofcom turned around and said it's going to take place next month, they'd have to scramble to rearrange funding etc.
They asked, Ofcom agreed. It'd be more suspicious if they said no considering they've let O2 refarm their spectrum.
Post #2
I'm not oblivious to anything, I'm quoting directly from the article / Three's comment in it.
Think everyone who wants 4G should thank EE for forcing O2 & Voda to pull a finger out even if your not going to use EE's service. Daft that they have threatened court action for so long, just wouldn't happen in another country!
Should be interesting to see who actually wins spectrum.. There might be a surprise or two! In the meantime i cannot wait to try this out in a Fortnight!
So Vodafone O2 and 3 to an extent will have to come up with some way of keeping their customers from leaving. Any ideas?
A word of warning on Ofcoms definition of 98% figure :eek:
Im sure the networks will find a way to weasel out of coverage obligations with this vague definition. O2 must be wetting themselves with excitement :mad:
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5474-4g-auction-and-roll-out-brought-forward-by-several-months.html
There is no standard definition for Village size. In fact Sheffield claimed to be the largest Village due to its isolated location (population 513,234).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largest_village_in_England