Disqus
Freedom4 (which is a joint investment between Daisy Group plc and Intel Capital) has been granted a licence variation by Ofcom (in the UK) that enables it to offer mobile wireless broadband services to its customers using its nationwide 3.6GHz spectrum.
Apparently, Freedom4 has already achieved the world’s first seamless mobile WiMAX handover between base stations operating at two frequencies (2.5GHz and 3.6GHz) and “architected a high capacity core network, capable of delivering wholesale services”.
The latest Digital Britain publication by the UK Government (BIS) acknowledges that WiMAX is the only 4G wireless technology commercially available today and that it is being deployed across the globe.
Freedom4 owns the largest contiguous block of 4G compatible spectrum currently issued in the UK, together with national spectrum at both 4GHz and 28GHz ideal for delivering wireless backhaul. Freedom4 has also integrated wireless network equipment and has both fixed and mobile devices to connect to its network including the world’s only quad band WiMAX dongle.
So right now, the company is in a state of readiness for build-out, having architected and integrated all necessary network equipment for operation. Interestingly, crossing this point will require major investment – something that perhaps typical investors might be less keen to do at the moment, what with the extension of 3G data speeds, and current economic climate. However, whether it’s sooner rather than later, one thing seems to clear – 4G is coming to the UK, in what will quite possibly be 3.6GHz spectrum.
Roll on 4G! 
About The Author
Ben Robinson
Ben is a 10+ year veteran of the Mobile industry – starting his career when SMS was a still a relatively new concept for most people (!), he has now consulted on everything from bleeding-edge Mobile content, to the next-gen accessories you might view it on. As a result he has a broad and deep knowledge in numerous areas of Mobile – from network operators to device vendors, to infrastructure and middleware vendors (not to mention content delivery) – and has worked for companies in all of these areas! He is based in the UK, a hotbed of activity for mobile, and recently became a father for the second time – as oppose to in his younger years when he was happy spend time tweaking all manner of mobile devices to 'nth' degree, he now looks for services and hardware that provide the most efficient, compact, and reliable improvements to his already manic life! It’s his opinion that Mobile solutions should be there to help to make your life better – if a particular solution (be it service or device) isn’t doing this, he believes you need to ask the very important question of why you continue to use it... His focus at IntoMobile is mainly on Mobile content, services, and infrastructure, particularly as regards the UK market – and with the occasional look at devices. Additionally, using his extensive experience in the industry, he will provide commentary on the industry at large, with regular (and hopefully thought-provoking) articles.
