Waiting for 4G in the UK? Yeah, us too. It’s a bit of a shame that the US gets blazing fast mobile web and we’re chugging along at 3G. Still, it is coming, and hopefully soon. To that end, O2 and Vodafone have just put pen to paper to sign a deal that’ll allow both of them to share mobile sites. The 4G mobiles cometh…
Vodafone and O2’s deal initially means that the two will be sharing mobile sites across its 2G and 3G services. And that means? Not an awful lot at this stage. Whereas Orange and T-Mobile’s Everything Everywhere is a more cosy, pally umbrella company deal, O2 and Vodafone will still remain rivals.
It does mean, however, that the two will be able to bring coverage to 98% of the UK population by 2015. And that any mobile blackspots you currently experience may benefit from a boost if you’re a customer.
4G LTE: Will it drive up tariffs?
The total available mobile sites that both networks have will be 18,500. It means that by the time Ofcom sorts itself out and finalises the auctioning off of 4G bands in the UK, O2 and Vodafone will be able to roll their 4G offerings out quicker and more smoothly.
Auctioning off bands? If this is all gibberish to you, you need to read this: 4G in the UK explained. Go on; you’ll seem well smart next time 4G comes up in conversion down the pub.
