O2 is reportedly the first UK mobile operator to deploy a new “superfast” 3G network in London using 900MHz spectrum. The carrier is taking advantage of new regulations around spectrum refarming and its new network (called 3G900) is expected to deliver a 50% increase in capacity compared to O2’s existing 3G network. On average, it is said that O2’s 3G customers on the new network are seeing a 30% increase in data speeds.
The London launch follows similar launches in other cities, including Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester, with other cities set to follow in the coming months.
Commenting on the news, O2’s CTO Nigel Purdy said: “This 3G900 switch-on is the latest in a series of network enhancements for O2, and is a first for the UK and Telefónica.”
As a reminder, UK regulator Ofcom gave the go-ahead for the country’s operators to begin re-farming their existing 2G spectrum for 3G use in January to encourage mobile broadband rollout.
[Via: MobileBusinessBriefing]