4G services from major UK operators could be rolling out as soon as spring next year, as watchdog Ofcom has secured the freeing up of the necessary spectrum ahead of time.
The required frequencies, which are being freed up by the digital TV switchover, will be auctioned off at the start of next year. Operators including O2 and Vodafone should be able to get their next-gen services up and running by spring 2013, the BBC reports.
Operators met yesterday to have a friendly chinwag over the future of 4G. Companies like O2 and Vodafone have dragged their heels over the speedier service in the past, but with rival network EE poised to deploy its own 4G network in a matter of weeks, they'll now be scrambling to get their own 4G gubbins up and running as soon as possible.
EE will use the 1,800MHz spectrum for its 4G service -- a chunk of bandwidth it already owned, hence the headstart on rival networks. Underdog operator Three is set to acquire some of EE's bandwidth, but that probably won't happen until September next year. O2 and Vodafone have agreed not to take legal actions against EE's new network.
4G isn't even live yet, but already it's the source of a lot of mobile drama. The iPhone 5 for instance, while 4G-enabled, will only work with EE's network -- bad news for O2- and Vodafone-bound Apple fans. Labour says the money raised from next year's auction should be pumped into affordable homes for first-time buyers.
We've already tested 4G speeds on the first LTE phones in the UK, including the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE and the HTC One XL. We've found speeds to be potentially impressive so far, but actual performance is likely to vary hugely.
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anonymous 3 October, 2012 10:55
I will never understand why CNET always has to diminish Three as a carrier. I've been with them for years without a single problem. My bill is very cheap, I've got lots of mins, texts and unlimited data, and the coverage is as good as anybody else's. Get over your annoying Apple'sque bias towards O2 and Vodafone. My dad had some serious problems with O2 in the past and, as far as I can tell, they charge you insane prices in comparison to Three.
I'm serious considering quitting visiting this posh and biased website. You can believe in whatever you want, but you should be more professional when writing.
anonymous 3 October, 2012 13:07
I've managed to get just over 10mb down and 3.5 up on my 3G S3 on Vodafone - not really worth the move to 4G unless its a lot faster!
anonymous 3 October, 2012 13:11
well said, i'm sure it was three that was first to launch 3g back in 2003.
damien2501 3 October, 2012 16:48
If your gonna get 4g don't touch ee with a barge pole. Tmobile and orange are useless how will ee be any different. They won't
dougmet 17 October, 2012 10:40
I rarely get a good 3G signal, certainly not one that allows me to change my mobile internet habits. It's not so much a complaint, but I can see why some people wouldn't feel the need to move up to 3G.
simeon03 12 December, 2012 01:34
Its not like Three are they only carrier to offer ? data with tethering and also have the largest and fastest 3G network and don't milk the crap out of their subscribers, just cos. Oh Wait.