As noted by The Next Web, UK communications regulator Ofcom today announced that it has awarded permission to carrier Everything Everywhere to begin using its existing 1800 MHz spectrum to offer LTE and WiMAX services beginning on September 11.
In a statement on its website, Ofcom announced that it had approved Everything Everywhere’s request to rebrand its 1800MHz spectrum to deliver 4G services from September 11, 2012, highlighting that as a result it would be able to deliver “significant benefits to consumers, and that there is no material risk that those benefits will be outweighed by a distortion of competition.“
It will take some time for Everything Everywhere, which currently operates the Orange and T-Mobile brands in the UK, to roll out the service, but a number of of observers have already pointed out that the effective date comes just one day prior to Apple's all-but-confirmed media event to introduce the next-generation iPhone.
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The current-generation iPad only supports LTE over 700 MHz and 2100 MHz frequencies, and Apple will need to support several other frequency bands if it wishes to support LTE service in major markets outside of the existing iPad compatibility in the U.S. and Canada. Just last week, Korean carriers reported that they were talking to Apple about supporting LTE service on their 800 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.
While Everything Everywhere is undoubtedly pleased by Ofcom's ruling giving it early permission to offer LTE service, The Verge notes that the carrier's competitors (Vodafone, Three and O2) are less enthusiastic as they look toward the UK's main auction of 800 MHz and 2600 MHz bands early next year, arguing that Everything Everywhere's advantage will distort the competitive landscape in the UK mobile market.
Top Rated Comments
Hi all,
Thought it would be worth mentioning I've been on the 4G trial up in the hills of Threlkeld in the Lake District for 6 or so weeks now and can only report good things.
I'm getting consistent 20-30Mbps download and usually above 10-15Mbps upload speeds with around a 50ms ping. This is using a simcard wifi router in the living room not quite in line of sight of the mast.
I've also been playing with a 4G mifi type device while wandering about town and have never dropped below 7Mbps download speed anywhere within range of the mast, usually getting consistent 10-15Mbps upload everywhere. Other triallists in the area all appear to be getting the same kind of speed.
Connection quality throughout the trial has been excellent, I'm very happy with it!
I don't pay any extra for tethering on 02, it's included in the normal data bolt on.
The sim card has absolutely nothing to do with the operating frequencies of the 4G chip..
I look forward to the day where I can cancel my broadband/cable and use my iPhone as a personal hotspot for all devices in the house. Running on LTE/4G will certainly be more beneficial than turtle pace Sky.
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T-Mobile is also the only UK provider that STILL offers unlimited data (AFAIK). O2 and Vodaphone stopped it long ago.