Virgin Mobile & Three 4G dates?

The Lord Lucan · 08-11-2012, 02:00

Any updates as to when these guys will get in on the 1800 4G action?

interactiv-uk · 08-11-2012, 06:44

Three won't be until September 2013 - AFAIK thats the soonest that EE have to relinquish the first part of the 1800 spectrum to them.

Not sure about Virgin - as they are an MVNO they COULD use the existing EE infrastructure for 1800 4G but only if EE let them which at this stage seems unlikely.

Thine Wonk · 08-11-2012, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by interactiv-uk

Three won't be until September 2013 - AFAIK thats the soonest that EE have to relinquish the first part of the 1800 spectrum to them.

Not sure about Virgin - as they are an MVNO they COULD use the existing EE infrastructure for 1800 4G but only if EE let them which at this stage seems unlikely.

You are forgetting that 3 still intend to go for 1 of the 4 licenses in the auction, nothing has changed just because they bought some spectrum from EE. The 1800Mhz is probably for extra capacity as they'll likely be going for the LTE broadband market and will need it. 3 currently target the big data users and broadband market and deal with more data throughput than O2 & VF put together and another 10% on top. They'll need that extra capacity in the long-term.

Virgin mobile don't have any spectrum of their own, there was talk of Virgin Media bidding in the 4G auction, but they have pulled out now I think.

interactiv-uk · 08-11-2012, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

You are forgetting that 3 still intend to go for 1 of the 4 licenses in the auction, nothing has changed just because they bought some spectrum from EE. The 1800Mhz is probably for extra capacity as they'll likely be going for the LTE broadband market and will need it. 3 currently target the big data users and broadband market and deal with more data throughput than O2 & VF put together and another 10% on top. They'll need that extra capacity in the long-term.

Virgin mobile don't have any spectrum of their own, there was talk of Virgin Media bidding in the 4G auction, but they have pulled out now I think.

I didn't forget - the OP specifically asked about the 1800 network.

Thine Wonk · 08-11-2012, 12:30

oh my mistake, missed the 1800Mhz part of the question.

08-11-2012, 02:00	#1
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	Virgin Mobile & Three 4G dates? Any updates as to when these guys will get in on the 1800 4G action?

08-11-2012, 06:44	#2
interactiv-uk Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 587	Three won't be until September 2013 - AFAIK thats the soonest that EE have to relinquish the first part of the 1800 spectrum to them. Not sure about Virgin - as they are an MVNO they COULD use the existing EE infrastructure for 1800 4G but only if EE let them which at this stage seems unlikely.

08-11-2012, 10:57	#3
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by interactiv-uk Three won't be until September 2013 - AFAIK thats the soonest that EE have to relinquish the first part of the 1800 spectrum to them. Not sure about Virgin - as they are an MVNO they COULD use the existing EE infrastructure for 1800 4G but only if EE let them which at this stage seems unlikely. You are forgetting that 3 still intend to go for 1 of the 4 licenses in the auction, nothing has changed just because they bought some spectrum from EE. The 1800Mhz is probably for extra capacity as they'll likely be going for the LTE broadband market and will need it. 3 currently target the big data users and broadband market and deal with more data throughput than O2 & VF put together and another 10% on top. They'll need that extra capacity in the long-term. Virgin mobile don't have any spectrum of their own, there was talk of Virgin Media bidding in the 4G auction, but they have pulled out now I think.

08-11-2012, 12:22	#4
interactiv-uk Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 587	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk You are forgetting that 3 still intend to go for 1 of the 4 licenses in the auction, nothing has changed just because they bought some spectrum from EE. The 1800Mhz is probably for extra capacity as they'll likely be going for the LTE broadband market and will need it. 3 currently target the big data users and broadband market and deal with more data throughput than O2 & VF put together and another 10% on top. They'll need that extra capacity in the long-term. Virgin mobile don't have any spectrum of their own, there was talk of Virgin Media bidding in the 4G auction, but they have pulled out now I think. I didn't forget - the OP specifically asked about the 1800 network.

08-11-2012, 12:30	#5
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	oh my mistake, missed the 1800Mhz part of the question.

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Virgin Mobile & Three 4G dates?