Everything Everywhere gets OK to launch 4G in UK next month

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While the United States sees dozens of new cities getting upgraded to 4G networks each month, on the other side of the Atlantic, things are proceeding at a more glacial pace. In the United Kingdom, for example, the auction of 4G licences on the 800MHz and 2600MHz bands to network operators still hasn’t taken place, and has been pushed back until next year.

While UK operators have been engaged in small-scale 4G trials for the last 18 months or so, the lethargic pace of progress on the licensing and deployment of 4G networks has been a source of irritation for the carriers. Not all have been content to sit around complaining though. Earlier this year, Everything Everywhere – the joint venture between Orange UK and T-Mobile UK – formally applied to the communications regulator, Ofcom, to convert some of its existing 1800MHz spectrum to provide 4G services this year.

As The Next Web reports, Ofcom has now approved that application, meaning that Everything Everywhere will be able to launch 4G LTE services in the UK before the end of the year. In a statement, the company unsurprisingly hailed Ofcom’s decision, claiming that “4G will drive investment, employment and innovation and we look forward to making it available later this year, delivering superfast mobile broadband to the UK”.

But not everyone is celebrating. The Verge reported Vodafone’s rather angry response to the news:

We are frankly shocked that Ofcom has reached this decision. The regulator has shown a careless disregard for the best interests of consumers, businesses and the wider economy through its refusal to properly regard the competitive distortion created by allowing one operator to run services before the ground has been laid for a fully competitive 4G market.”
O2 also weighed in with this statement:

We are hugely disappointed with today’s announcement, which will mean the majority of customers will be excluded from the first wave of digital services. This decision undermines the competitive environment for 4G in the UK.”
Ofcom’s approval gives Everything Everywhere the freedom to use some of its 1800MHz spectrum for 4G services from September 11 this year – fortuitous timing, given that Apple is widely expected to announce its new 4G LTE-capable iPhone on the very next day.

Posted:

Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/everything-everywhere-gets-ok-to-launch-4g-in-uk-next-month

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GoldenDiamondsPosted:

iSamXD
GoldenDiamonds
iSamXD Im currently using my blackberry as a source for my internet on my PC. Obviously since I am in the UK this is over 3G. I cant wait for 4G as this will help my speeds so much and i will have no problems with the internet ever


Why do you use your phone?


Aint got internet in the house anymore so i use my phone as an alternative

I feel sorry for you lol, but why??

iSamXDPosted:

GoldenDiamonds
iSamXD Im currently using my blackberry as a source for my internet on my PC. Obviously since I am in the UK this is over 3G. I cant wait for 4G as this will help my speeds so much and i will have no problems with the internet ever


Why do you use your phone?


Aint got internet in the house anymore so i use my phone as an alternative

GoldenDiamondsPosted:

InspiringGraphics Can't wait for 4G, hopefully the speed will be a massive increase in comparison to 3G.


It will be 20x faster apparently

InspiringGraphicsPosted:

Can't wait for 4G, hopefully the speed will be a massive increase in comparison to 3G.

CearnsyPosted:

GoldenDiamonds
M60
Shinji-Kagawa
7vn Before this, they should sort out the 3G first. Can never get a signal,


Same i take my ipad on a long weekend stay to england with the caravan and i buy 3g with 3 the company and it sucks cant pick it up atall


Im the same with my ipad sometimes as well


I had to send my ipad in to get fixed, i just could never get signal, works okay now


Mines works but like a few times i can't connect right away

GoldenDiamondsPosted:

iSamXD Im currently using my blackberry as a source for my internet on my PC. Obviously since I am in the UK this is over 3G. I cant wait for 4G as this will help my speeds so much and i will have no problems with the internet ever


Why do you use your phone?

iSamXDPosted:

Im currently using my blackberry as a source for my internet on my PC. Obviously since I am in the UK this is over 3G. I cant wait for 4G as this will help my speeds so much and i will have no problems with the internet ever

GoldenDiamondsPosted:

M60
Shinji-Kagawa
7vn Before this, they should sort out the 3G first. Can never get a signal,


Same i take my ipad on a long weekend stay to england with the caravan and i buy 3g with 3 the company and it sucks cant pick it up atall


Im the same with my ipad sometimes as well


I had to send my ipad in to get fixed, i just could never get signal, works okay now

CearnsyPosted:

Shinji-Kagawa
7vn Before this, they should sort out the 3G first. Can never get a signal,


Same i take my ipad on a long weekend stay to england with the caravan and i buy 3g with 3 the company and it sucks cant pick it up atall


Im the same with my ipad sometimes as well

GoldenDiamondsPosted:

Minecart
GoldenDiamonds This is the one thing i have been waiting for for about a year now, sooooo excited!


Yeah, its so exciting!


From what I have heard, it is going to be amazing, I hope they dont let us down