what's happening with MBNL?

Zee_Bukhari · 14-08-2015, 13:15

Seems like the ex_orange masts being upgraded for Three customers has grinded to a halt.

No progress has been made in ages where EE customers get 3G coverage but Three customers don't I'm in London and this is still a major issue.

Does anyone has any info what's going on and why this seems to have gone in d to a halt?

Thx

d123 · 14-08-2015, 13:26

EE seem to have decided on a policy of 2G/4G for a number of masts, as MBNL is 3G only these masts seem to be outside of MBNL, as are any other 4G improvements.

Some say EE aren't all that enthusiastic about MBNL since Hutchison decided to go after o2.

mupet0000 · 14-08-2015, 13:29

I think the assumption is that because Three are buying out O2 (technically, Three's parent company are buying out O2), EE don't want to help Three since they are potentially going to be gaining access to the Cornerstone network.

MBNL is a 50/50 between Three/EE so I would've thought that Three still have some say in the site upgrades. But, I'm thinking that the remaining sites to be upgraded/integrated into MBNL are legacy Orange sites that are solely under EE's control, so if they just upgrade the 2G/4G, they can leave the site out of MBNL and not help Three seen as MBNL is only a 3G share.

If MBNL can't go and upgrade the remaining legacy Orange sites, all the can do is maintain the current network.

Zee_Bukhari · 14-08-2015, 13:30

But its a 50:50 joint agreement. Three must have power to do something about it

Zee_Bukhari · 14-08-2015, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by mupet0000

I think the assumption is that because Three are bu
ng out O2 (technically, Three's parent company are buying out O2), EE don't want to help Three since they are potentially going to be gaining access to the Cornerstone network.

MBNL is a 50/50 between Three/EE so I would've thought that Three still have some say in the site upgrades. But, I'm thinking that the remaining sites to be upgraded/integrated into MBNL are legacy Orange sites that are solely under EE's control, so if they just upgrade the 2G/4G, they can leave the site out of MBNL and not help Three seen as MBNL is only a 3G share.

If MBNL can't go and upgrade the remaining legacy Orange sites, all the can do is maintain the current network.

There is an ex-orange mast upgraded about 1.5 years ago or longer with 2g 3g and 4g for EE customers but it doesn't allow Thee customers to connect. If its 3g upgraded surely Three customers should at least get access to this mast as its a blackspot in the area which Three are aware off.

EE is just acting unfair in this agreement.

d123 · 14-08-2015, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari

But its a 50:50 joint agreement. Three must have power to do something about it

No, the owner network has to put the site into MBNL before MBNL can manage it, if the owner network decides not, it's just tough.

jaffboy151 · 14-08-2015, 14:25

EE seem to have frozen any mbnl expansion indefinitely it seems, I wonder that if the o2 deal goes ahead weather EE have any freedom in the mbnl deal to halt further 4g upgrades from three on any T mobile sites,

clewsy · 14-08-2015, 14:32

Yes it does appear that EE have stopped improving the old 2g sites that are part of MBNL.

It also doesn't appear that many masts are going 2g/4g though, which isn't helping EE as VF/o2 are arriving in more places all the time.

clewsy · 14-08-2015, 18:22

Does anyone have the ability though to near enough confirm suspicions that roll out has stopped of bringing old 2g into 3g and 4g?

Thine Wonk · 14-08-2015, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

No, the owner network has to put the site into MBNL before MBNL can manage it, if the owner network decides not, it's just tough.

It is a joint venture with 50/50 ownership though. The plans are to continue the operation from what I've read. I think there's a lot of discussion going on industry wide about plans.

mupet0000 · 14-08-2015, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

It is a joint venture with 50/50 ownership though. The plans are to continue the operation from what I've read. I think there's a lot of discussion going on industry wide about plans.

Not with regards to legacy Orange sites, EE owns those and they are not part of MBNL unless EE brings them in. This is clear to see considering the 4G additions EE has made to many of these sites without bringing them into MBNL.

RAN Man · 14-08-2015, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

No, the owner network has to put the site into MBNL before MBNL can manage it, if the owner network decides not, it's just tough.

MBNL manage all of EEs sites, regardless of their status with Three. There is an agreed list of Orange stes, between Three and EE which will become shared, and the target and quantity for each year is agreed beforehand by EE and Three.

This perception that EE is slowing it down is simply not the case. If Three want in to any ex Orange site, they can do, if they're prepared to pay for it, and if its not on the already agreed list.

mupet0000 · 14-08-2015, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAN Man

MBNL manage all of EEs sites, regardless of their status with Three. There is an agreed list of Orange stes, between Three and EE which will become shared, and the target and quantity for each year is agreed beforehand by EE and Three.

This perception that EE is slowing it down is simply not the case. If Three want in to any ex Orange site, they can do, if they're prepared to pay for it, and if its not on the already agreed list.

If this is the case, why do EE go in and upgrade 2G sites to 4G and leave out 3G entirely? Surely it's in their best interest to add 3G too.

enapace · 14-08-2015, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAN Man

MBNL manage all of EEs sites, regardless of their status with Three. There is an agreed list of Orange stes, between Three and EE which will become shared, and the target and quantity for each year is agreed beforehand by EE and Three.

This perception that EE is slowing it down is simply not the case. If Three want in to any ex Orange site, they can do, if they're prepared to pay for it, and if its not on the already agreed list.

You haven't got an approximate amount of Orange masts that still have to be integrated into MBNL do you?

RAN Man · 15-08-2015, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by mupet0000

If this is the case, why do EE go in and upgrade 2G sites to 4G and leave out 3G entirely? Surely it's in their best interest to add 3G too.

If you have 2G and 4G what do you need 3G for?

clewsy · 15-08-2015, 08:08

Well because the MNLB share doesn't include 4g sites. That was what the MD of EE said in an interview as they couldn't reach a deal over it.

corf · 15-08-2015, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAN Man

If you have 2G and 4G what do you need 3G for?

More bandwidth through more spectrum.

It seems that EE are sidelining MBNL to me

clewsy · 15-08-2015, 10:04

Or of course they are sideling most investment as they are leaving the market, so may as well increase profits for their shareholders and get costs down, before the deal is done with BT.

It's obvious things have slowed down, there must be the same number of old orange masts now as there was at the start of the year. Doesnt seem like much is happening.

de525ma · 15-08-2015, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by mupet0000

If this is the case, why do EE go in and upgrade 2G sites to 4G and leave out 3G entirely? Surely it's in their best interest to add 3G too.

Lord Lucan said on another thread that this is due to landlords. I _think_ that as 4G and 2G use the same frequency and antennas, they don't need to renegotiate the contract with the landlord to upgrade the site. Presumably 3 could have access to this equipment if they wished to, they would just need to provide their cabinet.

pepstar · 16-08-2015, 12:34

I have a friend in the northern part of Shrewsbury, and a couple of months ago an orange mast was upgraded to MBNL with Three, so the work is definitely still going ahead

Zee_Bukhari · 16-08-2015, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepstar

I have a friend in the northern part of Shrewsbury, and a couple of months ago an orange mast was upgraded to MBNL with Three, so the work is definitely still going ahead

That was a couple of months ago but EE seem to be trying to stall it. Three have enough power though to install their cabinets where they deem I needed most. I suspect Three will upgrade all those masts within a couple of months.

interactiv-uk · 17-08-2015, 22:25

The Orange 2G site near Ravenstonedale in Cumbria has been upgraded and is now kicking out a nice Three 3G signal. The new antennas look the same as the ones being installed on Three 800MHz ready sites so hopefully 4G800 will follow next month. Even if it doesn't, another 3G hole has been filled.

clewsy · 17-08-2015, 22:48

Plans for a 3 mast near me to be upgraded to 4g are not even by MBNL which seems strange.

It's like the 2 networks are running completly separatly in some areas. Very strange.

DevonBloke · 17-08-2015, 23:19

Ran Man may well be correct (he usually is) but on here it seems one hell of a lot of ex Orange 2G sites are going 2G/4G only. Found one in Devon the other day at Bickington (with 4G => 2G CSFB working properly).
It will be interesting to see how the one above Totnes (Windmill Down) goes. Currently very very slow legacy Orange 3G.
It is the only mast on any network that kind of covers Dartington (of the glass fame).
If you live in Dartington you are either on EE, Orange or TM or you have no signal.
If Ran Man is correct, then Three will use this one when it's upgraded.
Watch this space......

The Lord Lucan · 17-08-2015, 23:23

Sucks to be on Three...

14-08-2015, 13:15	#1
Zee_Bukhari Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,319	what's happening with MBNL? Seems like the ex_orange masts being upgraded for Three customers has grinded to a halt. No progress has been made in ages where EE customers get 3G coverage but Three customers don't I'm in London and this is still a major issue. Does anyone has any info what's going on and why this seems to have gone in d to a halt? Thx

14-08-2015, 13:26	#2
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	EE seem to have decided on a policy of 2G/4G for a number of masts, as MBNL is 3G only these masts seem to be outside of MBNL, as are any other 4G improvements. Some say EE aren't all that enthusiastic about MBNL since Hutchison decided to go after o2.

14-08-2015, 13:29	#3
mupet0000 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 620	I think the assumption is that because Three are buying out O2 (technically, Three's parent company are buying out O2), EE don't want to help Three since they are potentially going to be gaining access to the Cornerstone network. MBNL is a 50/50 between Three/EE so I would've thought that Three still have some say in the site upgrades. But, I'm thinking that the remaining sites to be upgraded/integrated into MBNL are legacy Orange sites that are solely under EE's control, so if they just upgrade the 2G/4G, they can leave the site out of MBNL and not help Three seen as MBNL is only a 3G share. If MBNL can't go and upgrade the remaining legacy Orange sites, all the can do is maintain the current network.

14-08-2015, 13:30	#4
Zee_Bukhari Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,319	But its a 50:50 joint agreement. Three must have power to do something about it

14-08-2015, 13:34	#5
Zee_Bukhari Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,319	Quote: Originally Posted by mupet0000 I think the assumption is that because Three are bu ng out O2 (technically, Three's parent company are buying out O2), EE don't want to help Three since they are potentially going to be gaining access to the Cornerstone network. MBNL is a 50/50 between Three/EE so I would've thought that Three still have some say in the site upgrades. But, I'm thinking that the remaining sites to be upgraded/integrated into MBNL are legacy Orange sites that are solely under EE's control, so if they just upgrade the 2G/4G, they can leave the site out of MBNL and not help Three seen as MBNL is only a 3G share. If MBNL can't go and upgrade the remaining legacy Orange sites, all the can do is maintain the current network. There is an ex-orange mast upgraded about 1.5 years ago or longer with 2g 3g and 4g for EE customers but it doesn't allow Thee customers to connect. If its 3g upgraded surely Three customers should at least get access to this mast as its a blackspot in the area which Three are aware off. EE is just acting unfair in this agreement.

14-08-2015, 13:40	#6
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari But its a 50:50 joint agreement. Three must have power to do something about it No, the owner network has to put the site into MBNL before MBNL can manage it, if the owner network decides not, it's just tough.

14-08-2015, 14:25	#7
jaffboy151 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Woore, Cheshire/Shropshire Posts: 1,675	EE seem to have frozen any mbnl expansion indefinitely it seems, I wonder that if the o2 deal goes ahead weather EE have any freedom in the mbnl deal to halt further 4g upgrades from three on any T mobile sites,

14-08-2015, 14:32	#8
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Yes it does appear that EE have stopped improving the old 2g sites that are part of MBNL. It also doesn't appear that many masts are going 2g/4g though, which isn't helping EE as VF/o2 are arriving in more places all the time.

14-08-2015, 18:22	#9
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Does anyone have the ability though to near enough confirm suspicions that roll out has stopped of bringing old 2g into 3g and 4g?

14-08-2015, 19:11	#10
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 No, the owner network has to put the site into MBNL before MBNL can manage it, if the owner network decides not, it's just tough. It is a joint venture with 50/50 ownership though. The plans are to continue the operation from what I've read. I think there's a lot of discussion going on industry wide about plans.

14-08-2015, 21:56	#11
mupet0000 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 620	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk It is a joint venture with 50/50 ownership though. The plans are to continue the operation from what I've read. I think there's a lot of discussion going on industry wide about plans. Not with regards to legacy Orange sites, EE owns those and they are not part of MBNL unless EE brings them in. This is clear to see considering the 4G additions EE has made to many of these sites without bringing them into MBNL.

14-08-2015, 22:02	#12
RAN Man Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 249	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 No, the owner network has to put the site into MBNL before MBNL can manage it, if the owner network decides not, it's just tough. MBNL manage all of EEs sites, regardless of their status with Three. There is an agreed list of Orange stes, between Three and EE which will become shared, and the target and quantity for each year is agreed beforehand by EE and Three. This perception that EE is slowing it down is simply not the case. If Three want in to any ex Orange site, they can do, if they're prepared to pay for it, and if its not on the already agreed list.

14-08-2015, 22:11	#13
mupet0000 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 620	Quote: Originally Posted by RAN Man MBNL manage all of EEs sites, regardless of their status with Three. There is an agreed list of Orange stes, between Three and EE which will become shared, and the target and quantity for each year is agreed beforehand by EE and Three. This perception that EE is slowing it down is simply not the case. If Three want in to any ex Orange site, they can do, if they're prepared to pay for it, and if its not on the already agreed list. If this is the case, why do EE go in and upgrade 2G sites to 4G and leave out 3G entirely? Surely it's in their best interest to add 3G too.

14-08-2015, 22:40	#14
enapace Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 4,249	Quote: Originally Posted by RAN Man MBNL manage all of EEs sites, regardless of their status with Three. There is an agreed list of Orange stes, between Three and EE which will become shared, and the target and quantity for each year is agreed beforehand by EE and Three. This perception that EE is slowing it down is simply not the case. If Three want in to any ex Orange site, they can do, if they're prepared to pay for it, and if its not on the already agreed list. You haven't got an approximate amount of Orange masts that still have to be integrated into MBNL do you?

15-08-2015, 06:48	#15
RAN Man Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 249	Quote: Originally Posted by mupet0000 If this is the case, why do EE go in and upgrade 2G sites to 4G and leave out 3G entirely? Surely it's in their best interest to add 3G too. If you have 2G and 4G what do you need 3G for?

15-08-2015, 08:08	#16
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Well because the MNLB share doesn't include 4g sites. That was what the MD of EE said in an interview as they couldn't reach a deal over it.

15-08-2015, 09:42	#17
corf Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,458	Quote: Originally Posted by RAN Man If you have 2G and 4G what do you need 3G for? More bandwidth through more spectrum. It seems that EE are sidelining MBNL to me

15-08-2015, 10:04	#18
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Or of course they are sideling most investment as they are leaving the market, so may as well increase profits for their shareholders and get costs down, before the deal is done with BT. It's obvious things have slowed down, there must be the same number of old orange masts now as there was at the start of the year. Doesnt seem like much is happening.

15-08-2015, 22:04	#19
de525ma Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 787	Quote: Originally Posted by mupet0000 If this is the case, why do EE go in and upgrade 2G sites to 4G and leave out 3G entirely? Surely it's in their best interest to add 3G too. Lord Lucan said on another thread that this is due to landlords. I _think_ that as 4G and 2G use the same frequency and antennas, they don't need to renegotiate the contract with the landlord to upgrade the site. Presumably 3 could have access to this equipment if they wished to, they would just need to provide their cabinet.

16-08-2015, 12:34	#20
pepstar Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Shropshire Posts: 642	I have a friend in the northern part of Shrewsbury, and a couple of months ago an orange mast was upgraded to MBNL with Three, so the work is definitely still going ahead

16-08-2015, 13:14	#21
Zee_Bukhari Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,319	Quote: Originally Posted by pepstar I have a friend in the northern part of Shrewsbury, and a couple of months ago an orange mast was upgraded to MBNL with Three, so the work is definitely still going ahead That was a couple of months ago but EE seem to be trying to stall it. Three have enough power though to install their cabinets where they deem I needed most. I suspect Three will upgrade all those masts within a couple of months.

DS Forums

what's happening with MBNL?

17-08-2015, 22:25	#22
interactiv-uk Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 587	The Orange 2G site near Ravenstonedale in Cumbria has been upgraded and is now kicking out a nice Three 3G signal. The new antennas look the same as the ones being installed on Three 800MHz ready sites so hopefully 4G800 will follow next month. Even if it doesn't, another 3G hole has been filled.

17-08-2015, 22:48	#23
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Plans for a 3 mast near me to be upgraded to 4g are not even by MBNL which seems strange. It's like the 2 networks are running completly separatly in some areas. Very strange.

17-08-2015, 23:19	#24
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Ran Man may well be correct (he usually is) but on here it seems one hell of a lot of ex Orange 2G sites are going 2G/4G only. Found one in Devon the other day at Bickington (with 4G => 2G CSFB working properly). It will be interesting to see how the one above Totnes (Windmill Down) goes. Currently very very slow legacy Orange 3G. It is the only mast on any network that kind of covers Dartington (of the glass fame). If you live in Dartington you are either on EE, Orange or TM or you have no signal. If Ran Man is correct, then Three will use this one when it's upgraded. Watch this space......

17-08-2015, 23:23	#25
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	Sucks to be on Three...