UKRSS

Ofcom extends rural obligation for UK 4G auction winner

Ofcom outlines new proposals to get 4G to rural areas

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has outlined new proposals to extend 4G coverage to at least 98 per cent of the population.

Everything Everywhere announces £1.5bn network investment

Everything Everywhere is investing £1.5bn over three years

UK communications firm Everything Everywhere, which owns and operates the British Orange and T-Mobile brands, has announced that it is to invest £1.5bn ($2.4bn) in a three-year network evolution programme. The project will accelerate the integration of the Orange and T-Mobile networks and ready them for LTE through the “implementation of 4G-ready technology following successful trials,” the firm said.

Free wifi on the streets of London

The free wifi offering will target short term users

Finnish handset vendor Nokia has teamed up with wifi network operator Spectrum Interactive and location based media firm Selective Media, to trial a free wifi offering on the streets of London, UK.

3UK says 97 per cent of the traffic on its network is data

3UK says 97 per cent of all of the traffic on its network is data

Mobile operator 3UK has announced that 97 per cent of all the traffic travelling through its network today is data. The carrier added that in the 14 months between June 2010 and September 201, it has seen a 427 per cent increase in data usage for smartphone customers.

BT running one year ahead of fibre targets

BT ahead of target with its fibre rollout

BT expects to have connected two-thirds of UK premises to its fibre-based broadband network by the end of 2014 – one year ahead of its original target of 2015 – thanks to its recruitment of 520 new engineers, most of whom will be ex-armed forces.

Ofcom postpones UK 4G auction

Ofcom hopes to be ready for spectrum auction by end of 2012

UK regulator Ofcom has announced that it will delay the 4G spectrum auction until the final quarter of 2012 at the earliest. Ofcom said that it received a number of “substantial and strongly argued responses” to its initial plans and will undertake a further round of consultation to address issues raised.

Vodafone UK offers 3-month “Data Test Drive”

Vodafone is offering a 3-month test drive for smartphone users

Vodafone UK is trialling a scheme for new and upgrading customers, allowing them to “test drive” an all-you-can-eat data plan for three months, to inspire confidence in smartphones and in the contracts that they opt for.

UK moving towards the next generation of ‘super’ HD viewing

Maasranga will deploy an all IP broadcast network

Around 94 per cent of UK households will have a TV set capable of receiving high-definition (HD) programming by 2016, according to the latest forecasts from Informa Telecoms & Media. This compares favorably with the worldwide average of 48 per cent and puts the UK third globally, behind Canada and New Zealand (each with 95 per cent).

Fortune favours the brave

Charles Dunstone

Charles Dunstone, CEO of Carphone Warehouse spoke at the Google Think Mobile event about accidental origins.

Huawei teams with Phones 4U to push own brand

The Huawei Vision

Following on from the recent revelation that Huawei is to follow ZTE into the own brand handset market, the Chinese vendor has announced a partnership with UK retailer Phones 4U to bring Huawei branded devices to market in the fourth quarter.