[Thine Wonk]

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/...rly-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.

[mogzyboy]

Ofcom should've put conditions on this for O2. Their 3G has to cover at least 96% of the population before they can launch 4G, or something to that effect.

Their constant whining over the years should've had its consequences.

[Thine Wonk]

Originally Posted by mogzyboy

Ofcom should've put conditions on this for O2. Their 3G has to cover at least 96% of the population before they can launch 4G, or something to that effect.

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.

[Daveoc64]

Presumably it actually means that the auction process is going ahead, rather than O2 and Vodafone getting any sort of approval.

It's possible in theory that they might not win any spectrum in the auction (extremely unlikely though).

[Everything Goes]

EE will be miles ahead of Vodafone and O2 for years. I wonder if the deal includes EE delaying the roll out? They most certainly could have it up and running a lot quicker.

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

http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2012/10/02...tm_campaign=4g

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19804578

[Thine Wonk]

Yes Dave the auction was always planned for the very end of the year with the process being completed in January, however it may get brought forward slightly. It's a combination clock auction so it has 2 stages, very complicated.

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.

[munta]

Why are people still complaining. EE get to go ahead ASAP, O2 and Voda get to go ahead sooner than initially thought and legal action has been prevented. Surely is a win win for everyone.

[Thine Wonk]

Originally Posted by munta

Why are people still complaining. EE get to go ahead ASAP, O2 and Voda get to go ahead sooner than initially thought and legal action has been prevented. Surely is a win win for everyone.

Who's complaining

[noise747]

Originally Posted by munta

Why are people still complaining. EE get to go ahead ASAP, O2 and Voda get to go ahead sooner than initially thought and legal action has been prevented. Surely is a win win for everyone.

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.

[Mystic Eddy]

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

Yes Dave the auction was always planned for the very end of the year with the process being completed in January, however it may get brought forward slightly. It's a combination clock auction so it has 2 stages, very complicated.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by noise747

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.

They asked, Ofcom agreed. It'd be more suspicious if they said no considering they've let O2 refarm their spectrum.

[munta]

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

Who's complaining

Post #2

[Thine Wonk]

Originally Posted by Mystic Eddy

You seem oblivious to the fact Three can also launch early if they acquire spectrum at the auction!.

I'm not oblivious to anything, I'm quoting directly from the article / Three's comment in it.

[Everything Goes]

800Mhz should be cleared completely for 4G by May 2013. Some areas will be completed by April.

[The Lord Lucan]

No EE delay and this still doesn't change the date of the 4G auction (the biggest delay, partly thanks to O2/Voda) so this is really a NON story to be honest. They are just allowed to roll out quicker after they 'win' a slice.

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!

[Everything Goes]

Even with 4G being made available on 800Mhz what looks likely to be June 2013 at earliest. What have Vodafone and O2 got offer? Poor and Appalling 3G coverage. Even with their agreement on 3G Network Sharing which wont be completed till 2015 it leaves them both on the starting line after the race has started. As for 2017 coverage targets for 4G is ambitious for both companies. EE will have met this target with minimal investment compared with others.

So Vodafone O2 and 3 to an extent will have to come up with some way of keeping their customers from leaving. Any ideas?

[legends wear 7]

Vodafone network already has 4g kit installed I'm told, they just need the frequency to broadcast and its a flip a switch exercise to get going.

[Everything Goes]

Caveat Emptor (Let the buyer beware)

A word of warning on Ofcoms definition of 98% figure

The coverage obligations as part of the auction require the operators to provide indoor coverage of 4G mobile broadband to 98% of people in villages, towns and cities across the UK, and outdoor coverage should exceed 99% of the people. Hopefully this is not careful political wording to state 'villages, towns and cities' as there are a good number of people who live outside what most of the population would consider a village.

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

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5...al-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