According to the FT.com, O2 and Vodafone are considering a network sharing deal. Anyone that reads IntoMobile regularly will know that these deals are becoming more and more common, and probably the best example in recent times in the UK has been H3G (Three) using T-Mobile’s network (specifically to give access for their 2G footprint).
Of course, with network sharing there is a huge potential saving in both CAPEX (building out new transmitters) and also OPEX (since I’d assume operating costs can be shared). Of course there’s lots of ways network sharing could occur, from the very basic step of sharing the same site, right through to piping calls and data between each other.
As I wrote a little while back, Ofcom is also lurking in the area of discussion for network usage, since it wants to re-allocate certain spectra for use with (mainly) mobile broadband. This all dovetails nicely in to the Government intiative to give ubiquitous access to at least 2Mbps broadband (irrespective of medium) within only 5-10 years.
Personally I think fixed line broadband sucks for many people in the UK, and FTTH (Fibre to the Home) is the only way to go for the future – where that isn’t possible of course, general mobile coverage AND wireless broadband access are obviously both important. So let’s hope this issue gets sorted out to everyone’s satisfaction, within a reasonable timeframe.
The FT article is a good read for a more detailed commentary of the O2/Vodafone issue, I’d recommend you check it out here.
[Via: FT.com]