Bingo! Exactly my point. The reporter makes a statement that OFCOM didn't supply something that doesn't exist (2G on Three).

I would have expected a tech writer for the BBC to be slightly clued up to the networks.

I do wonder in regards to this obviously Three is obviously going have use 800MHz are they going give these masts the crappiest back haul possible so only calls and texts can be made. As they only have to cover 85% with data.

They plan to upgrade backhaul on every site with almost half having already been upgraded to GigE

In fact, Three wont even activate 4G without GigE backhaul in place.

Interesting you saying you think they will have 90% Geographical Coverage including data?

85% is voice too, not data. Each of them need 90% individually and 85% where they are all present.

Oh I thought the 85% was all present but includes Mobile Broadband access where as the 90% they were each allowed choose the last 5% they wanted to cover and that was allowed just be voice. Thanks for clarifying details I do think getting the 85% will be harder than the 90%.

Yeah it's a bit confusing as they describe the 85% requirement as 'full coverage.' But full coverage just means you have a choice of all four networks for voice. There's no data requirement although that's obviously going to improve as a result.

I think if you include 3G, then Three would logically have 90% data coverage if they get 90% voice coverage.

Though surely it would make more sense for Three to use 800MHz LTE less masts surely in extremely rural areas. I get what you saying though 85% Identical Geographical coverage on all networks should mean that nearly anyone can in UK would get be able to pick all Four networks. Maybe that will increase competition in UK will be interesting to see glad the Government has decided on this plan.

Perhaps Three will have 90% with LTE800 alone but remember the requirement is to reach 90% with any combination of voice technologies. Possibly 3G could be in some areas that 4G isn't given how many masts there are already running 3G. Not saying that will be the case but it's possible so it might need 3G and 4G to be combined to get the overall figure to 90%.

Yeah that makes a lot of sense will be interesting to see how this goes about at least one thing for sure will whatever network people on as a joint people of the UK should in theory have the best coverage we ever had.

I wouldn't. The head tech reporter for the BBC is someone without about the worst possible background for a technology journalist, with no real experience/education in technical matters.

Hence why the BBC prefers to talk up stuff like the new iPhone or how good Google Glass is, as their team of writers wouldn't know how to present gritty, technical stuff like this

Press release from the Government:


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/g...le-phone-users

A look at the slight reduction in Licence Fees:

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php...-fee-hike.html

Yeah that is going to very likely change. but imagine EE will be happy that is a fair bit less than they were to have to pay.