UK mobile operator Everything Everywhere has announced today (23 February 2012) that it will be trialing a 4G LTE network on its existing 1800MHz spectrum. The trial will take place in Bristol from April.
The move marks a major step in the evolution of Everything Everywhere’s (Orange and T-Mobile) network in the UK. The 4G roll out will be relative small to start with, but the company said customers all over the country will still get faster speeds and better service as it is also in the process of upgrading its 3G network to HSPA+ (3.5G).The HSPA+ network will provide 50% faster data speeds for T-Mobile and Orange mobile broadband customers.
Olaf Swantee, CEO at Everything Everywhere (pictured), said: ‘Everything Everywhere’s vision is to launch 4G for Britain as soon as possible, and the roll out of 3.5G HSPA+ and our 4G trials across Britain are major steps towards delivering on that promise.
‘The integration of the Orange and T-Mobile networks has already given our customers the widest 3G coverage in the UK – and I am pleased to say that with our advanced HSPA+ roll out they will also benefit from the fastest.
‘I am also very proud to announce that, subject to regulatory approval by the spring, Everything Everywhere will be in a position to begin the roll out of 4G before the end of the year. There is a great opportunity for the UK to have the 21st Century network that it so deserves, putting the nation on a level playing field with other parts of Europe, the USA and Asia,’ said Swantee.
4G-ready network for the UK
The 4G LTE trials over 1800MHz in Bristol will provide Everything Everywhere with key learnings on the performance of 4G LTE over its existing 1800MHz spectrum in both urban and suburban environments. Customers will be able to access the service using 4G dongles.
The Bristol trial complements Everything Everywhere’s live customer trial of 4G technology over 800MHz spectrum in rural Cornwall, launched in September 2011 and recently extended to July 2012. The Cornwall trial has demonstrated that 800 MHz is optimal for the roll out of 4G LTE in rural areas.The company said that further trials of 4G technology across the country will continue to lay the foundation for a new digital backbone for Britain.
The UK has yet to auction its 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum, which will be used for 4G services by the mobile operators. The latest date for the auction is currently expected to be around the end of 2012.
However, following the decision by the UK communications regulator Ofcom to allow UK mobile operators to refarm some of their existing spectrum holdings, Everything Everywhere has been able to use its 1800MHz holding for 4G. But refarming existing 2G and 3G specific licenses for 4G use still requires legal approval by Ofcom.
HSPA+ network upgrade
Everything Everywhere’s nationwide roll out of 3G upgrade technology, HSPA+ 21, or 3.5G has already reached 60% of the network and will be completed in Q3 2012. It will deliver an estimated 50% increase in data download speeds (and up to 100% faster for upload of pictures, music and video) for customers with compatible devices, allowing them to take traditionally fixed-line activities, such as HD video streaming, on the move.
Theoretical speeds of 21Mbps are possible, but customer experiences can vary and depend on factors including distance from mast and the number of people accessing the network at any one time. In addition to 3.5G HSPA+ 21, trials of HSPA+ 42, which offers significantly faster data transmission than even HSPA+ 21, are due to begin in Q2 with a goal to roll out the technology to customers in Q4 2012.
Superfast backhaul
Everything Everywhere’s investment in mobile backhaul, including the introduction of Gigabit Ethernet, announced in December 2011, will also ensure T-Mobile and Orange customers benefit from the fastest and most reliable backbone network in Britain.
The amount of mobile backhaul – the part of the network that connects each mast into the core network servers – is one of the main factors which determine the end speeds experienced by customers. Gigabit Ethernet delivers the highest standard of mobile backhaul, and will ensure Everything Everywhere continues to offer customers a reliable connection irrespective of increased usage of data intensive services such as VoIP, music or movie streaming on the move.