• VodafoneThree will use Ericsson and Nokia tech to upgrade its networks
• 4G customers have already seen boosts of up to 40%
• 5G should be almost everywhere by 2034

VodafoneThree has announced a multi-billion pound deal with Ericsson and Nokia to expand and improve its UK networks.

The collaboration, which comes weeks after the official completion of its mega-merger, marks one of Europe’s largest privately funded infrastructure builds, and will cover over 17,000 sites across the UK.

This will consist of 10,000+ sites benefitting from Ericsson’s RAN and core network solutions, and a further 7,000+ sites getting Nokia’s RAN equipment.

Ericsson and Nokia will help improve VodafoneThree’s network

The company declared that 4G speeds have already been boosted by up to 40% for the seven million Three and SMARTY customers using its networks, and just three months into the merger, customers are already able to automatically use each other’s network and roam at no extra cost.

Looking ahead, VodafoneThree has plans to tackle 16,500 square kilometers of not-spots across the UK. By the end of the first year after merging, nearly three in four customers should have access to the company’s fastest 5G speeds, expanding to 90% by year three and 99.95% by 2034.

Network expansion plans are also slated to deliver economic benefits, with the UK economy set to be boosted by up to £102 billion between 2025 and 2035 thanks to better infrastructure access for energy, financial services, manufacturing, security and technology companies.

To help with the expansion, VodafoneThree has signed up a further four partners to support site builds nationwide: Beacon, Circet Wireless, M Group and WHP Telecoms.

VodafoneThree also anticipates generating up to 13,000 jobs as part of its expansion, across engineering, construction and maintenance over the eight-year roadmap.

Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm welcomed the partnership as an opportunity to “power [VodafoneThree] with the most advanced programmable network products, software and solutions in the world.”

Nokia CEO Justin Hotard noted the chance to provide the UK with “industry-leading network solutions” to meet customer and growing AI demands.

You might also like

• The best business smartphones will let you make the most of stronger networks
• UK small businesses say they're losing billions due to poor connectivity
• Going away? The best eSIMs for international travel are great value

• UK CMA gives the go-ahead for Vodafone and Three’s £15 billion merger deal
• The companies must invest in the UK network and cap their prices
• Together with VMO2, they expect to support 50 million customers

After a year-long investigation, Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given approval to the Vodafone-Three merger, a deal worth £15 billion ($19 billion).

By consolidating their UK operations, Vodafone and Three hope to become a market leader with 29 million customers, making the merged firm even bigger than EE, which claims to have 25 million customers.

As part of the process, the CMA stipulated that the two companies must “sign binding commitments to invest billions to roll out a combined 5G network across the UK.”

Vodafone-Three merger given the go-ahead

Under the agreement, Vodafone will have a 51% stake, with Three owner CK Hutchison taking the remaining 49%.

Previously concerned about the potential for higher prices due to decreased competition and less advantageous terms for virtual network providers, the CMA concluded: “The group has confirmed it is now satisfied that the proposed network commitment, supported by shorter term protections for both retail and wholesale customers, resolve its competition concerns.”

The CMA says that by upgrading their networks over the course of the next eight years, Vodafone and Three’s work would actually boost competition. As a component of the terms set out by the CMA, Vodafone and Three must also cap their mobile tariffs and data plans for three years to protect customers against sharp price rises in the early years of the merger.

Stuart McIntosh, chair of the independent inquiry group leading the investigation, commented: “Having carefully considered the evidence, as well as the extensive feedback we have received, we believe the merger is likely to boost competition in the UK mobile sector and should be allowed to proceed – but only if Vodafone and Three agree to implement our proposed measures.”

Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle said: “Consumers and businesses will enjoy wider coverage, faster speeds and better-quality connections across the UK, as we build the biggest and best network in our home market.”

Given that Virgin Media O2 agreed earlier in 2024 to a long-term network-sharing agreement with Vodafone and Three, subject to the now-approved merger, an anticipated 50 million UK customers will see the benefits.

You might also like

• Check out the best SIM-only deals this month
• Benefit from upgraded networks with the best business smartphones
• Vodafone and Three hit out at UK competition watchdog over further merger delays

The planned merger between Vodafone and Three is set to face an "in-depth investigation" from the UK's competition watchdog over fears the deal may negatively affect the market.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed it will be holding a further probe into the planned £15bn/$19bn merger.

In its announcement, the CMA said the action was taken after an examination of current information which it says brought it to the conclusion that the deal, "may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom."

Vodafone-Three probe

The announcement follows a warning in March 2024 that the CMA was set to launch a further investigation into the deal unless Vodafone and Three could provide "meaningful solutions" to initial concerns surrounding the deal.

Chief among the worries is that the deal, which would take the number of major mobile operators in the UK from four to three, would particularly harm smaller MVNOs, who may find it harder to negotiate good deals for their customers from a shrinking pool of providers.

The two networks had anticipated the CMA's move but said they remained confident the merger will deliver "significant benefits for competition, customers and the country."

The CMA has set a deadline of September 18, 2024 to complete its investigation.

The merger was announced in June 2023, with plans to form a new £15bn-valued telco giant and "create one of Europe's leading 5G networks."

Vodafone was set to be the slight majority owner of the new combined group, currently known as MergeCo, controlling 51%, with CK Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

The two companies were also keen to highlight the advantages of combining their two 5G networks for consumers and businesses alike, with MergeCo intending to invest over £6 billion in the first five years, and £11 billion over a ten year plan, to create a best-in-class 5G network, supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 new jobs in the wider economy.

MergeCo also expects to deliver up to £5 billion per year in UK economic benefit by 2030, supporting the digital transformation for schools, hospitals and businesses, with its standalone 5G network will cover every school and hospital in the UK by 2030, helping deliver the Government’s stretch ambition as set out in the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.

• Check out the best cheap cell phone plans

As Vodafone prepares for its big merger with Three, it has revealed strong financial results and announced a brand new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Reporting on its finances, Vodafone says it experienced revenue growth of 3.7% for the year, or 1.8% if Turkey is excluded. For the fourth quarter of the year, the growth was 1.9% or 0.5%, respectively. 

When it comes to foreign markets, Vodafone reported broad-based service revenue improvement across almost all European markets, with service revenue significantly improving in Germany (-1.3% for the year, or -2.8% for the quarter), mostly supported by broadband price increases.

New CFO

For Vodafone Business, service revenue growth accelerated to 4.5% for the year, driven by a strong performance in digital services (Q4: 2.9%).

At the same time, the company announced that its search for a new CFO is finally over and that Luka Mucic will take the helm starting September 1, 2023. 

Margherita Della Valle, soon-to-be ex-CEO, said she was thrilled about the news: “He has a strong track record of international leadership, corporate repositioning and value-creation. Luka is joining us at a critical time as we undertake the transformation of Vodafone,” she said.

Mucic was the CEO of SAP SE between 2014 and 2017, and the company’s CFO from 2014 until March 31, 2023. He is also a member of the Supervisory Board of Heidelberg Materials AG. He was previously a non-executive director of the Board of Qualtrics International.

One of Mucic’s biggest tasks in the near future will be the transformation of Vodafone. Recently, the company announced plans to cut 11,000 jobs and restructure into a leaner, more agile business.

• Check out the best cheap cell phone plans

Vodafone and Three have officially announced plans to merge in a move that is set to hugely shake up the UK mobile market.

In a statement, Vodafone and CK Hutchinson, the owner of Three UK, confirmed a deal that should see the formation of a new £15bn-valued telco giant and, "create one of Europe's leading 5G networks."

Vodafone is set to be the slight majority owner of the new combined group, known for now as MergeCo, controlling 51%, with CK Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

Vodafone-Three merger

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group Chief Executive, described the merger as being “great for customers, great for the country and great for competition.”  

“The merger is great for customers, great for the country and great for competition. It’s transformative as it  will create a best-in-class – indeed best in Europe – 5G network, offering customers a superior experience," she added. 

"As a country, the UK will benefit from the creation of a sustainable, strongly competitive third scaled operator – with a clear £11 billion network investment plan – driving growth, employment and innovation. For Vodafone, this transaction is a game changer in our home market. This is a vote of confidence in the UK  and its ambitions to be a centre for future technology.” 

“Today’s announcement is a major milestone for CK Hutchison and for the UK," added Canning Fok, Group Co-Managing Director of CK Hutchison. "Three UK and Vodafone UK  currently lack the necessary scale on their own to earn their cost of capital. This has long been a challenge  for Three UK’s ability to invest and compete." 

"Together, we will have the scale needed to deliver a best-in class 5G network for the UK, transforming mobile services for our customers and opening up new  opportunities for businesses across the length and breadth of the UK. This will unlock significant value for  CK Hutchison and its shareholders, realise material synergies, reduce net financial indebtedness and further  strengthen its financial profile.”

In a press release, the two companies highlighted the advantages of combining their two 5G networks for consumers and businesses alike.

They expect MergeCo to deliver up to £5 billion per year in UK economic benefit by 2030, supporting the digital transformation for schools, hospitals and businesses, with its standalone 5G network will cover every school and hospital in the UK by 2030,  helping deliver the Government’s stretch ambition as set out in the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.

MergeCo also intends to invest over £6 billion in the first five years, and £11 billion over a ten year plan, to create a best-in-class 5G network, supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 new jobs in the wider economy.

Analysis: A major disruption - for better or worse?

Rumors of Vodafone/CK Hutchinson merger have been ongoing for quite some time now, and triggered major moves in the market, with Della Valle's predecessor Nick Read, stepping down due to not being able to consolidate the UK market, which frustrated shareholders.

Less than a month ago, Della Valle announced the company would be cutting 11,000 jobs in an effort to become more agile on the market.

The deal is still pending regulatory approval in both the UK and CK Hutchinson's home nation of Hong Kong, with some observers not viewing the further reduction of the number of UK network operators very kindly.

If the deal does end up going through, the resulting group will become the biggest mobile operator in the UK, with some 27 million customers. That would place it above BT’s EE and VM O2, as well as Liberty Global, which some analysts have predicted could disrupt the UK market significantly.

“This long-awaited mega merger represents the biggest shake-up in the UK mobile market for over a decade," noted Kester Mann, Director, Consumer and Connectivity, CCS Insight. 

“The deal makes plenty of sense as both providers are sub-scale. As separate entities, it would have been near impossible for either to grow enough organically to come close to challenging BT or Virgin Media O2 for size. Inevitably however, there will be widespread fears over job cuts.”

 “An £11 billion network investment plan will seek to allay regulatory concerns. But this deal will still face a major challenge to win approval. At this stage, I believe it is too difficult to call either way.”

 “The prospect the deal leads to higher prices will be a major concern for the CMA. Vodafone and Three may have shot themselves in the foot by recently hiking tariffs by up to 14.4%.”

 “My view is that the deal should be approved. It is better to have three strong providers than two that are dominant and two that are sub-scale. Blocking it could thwart the long-term development of the UK’s telecoms infrastructure.”

 “A marriage of convenience makes sense. Scale is key to help lower costs and improve margins," noted Paolo Pescatore from PP Foresight.

"It will take years before we see the real fruits of this deal come to fruition. The question is, can the UK wait that long? However, convergence still remains the achilles heel if this does get over the line. It would create a mobile champion that could increase competition in the wholesale segment of the market and become a partner of choice for MVNOs.”

• Check out the best cheap cell phone plans

Vodafone and CK Hutchinson - the owner of Three - are about to announce a merger in the UK, according to a report from Reuters. The news agency said the deal could be announced either this Friday, or early next week.

Apparently, the deal will be in line with what was reported in October last year - namely that Vodafone would own the majority of the combined group (51%), with Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

It was also said that the new company would be valued at approximately $18.6 billion, debt included. 

Shareholder pressure

The story of the Vodafone/CK Hutchinson merger has been ongoing for quite some time now, and triggered major moves in the market. 

Some argue that former Vodafone CEO, Nick Read, stepped down due to not being able to consolidate the UK market, which was one of his major goals. This inability frustrated shareholders, which resulted in the change at the helm.

The new CEO, Margherita Della Valle, stepped in and has been feeling the pressure to improve the company’s performance. Less than a month ago, Della Valle announced the company would be cutting 11,000 jobs in an effort to become more agile on the market.

The deal also raised some concerns, as the regulators did not view the idea of reducing the number of network operators in a major market such as the UK kindly. The deal is still pending regulatory approval, Reuters added. 

On the other hand, Hutchinson’s CFO, Frank John Sixt also said that finalizing the deal was “extremely difficult.”

If the deal does end up going through, the resulting group will become the biggest mobile operator in the UK, with some 27 million customers. That would place it above BT’s EE and VM O2, as well as Liberty Global, Reuters claims.

• Check out the best cheap cell phone plans

Via: Reuters

Several major UK mobile operators are waiving charges for calls made to and from Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country.

EE, O2, Three and Vodafone have all confirmed that calls made from the UK to Ukraine will be free of charge, while anyone roaming in the country will not be subject to any additional fees for making calls or texts or accessing mobile data.

“Effective immediately, Vodafone UK is crediting all calls to Ukraine and waiving any roaming charges for Vodafone UK customers currently in Ukraine,” tweeted Vodafone UK CEO Ahmed Essam. “We stand in solidarity with all Ukrainian people at this worrying time.”

Mobile operators Ukraine 

“We are deeply troubled by the events taking place in Ukraine and know that some of our customers or their loved ones and friends may be directly affected,” confirmed Virgin Media O2 Lutz Schueler. “As the situation continues to unfold, we recognise that connectivity will play a crucial role and we want to provide support to those who need it.

“To help any of our customers in Ukraine and ensure customers in the UK that need to contact someone in the country can do so, we have removed charges for data use in Ukraine and will also credit charges for calls and texts to and from Ukraine and the UK.”

BT Consumer CEO chief executive Marc Allera also confirmed that a similar arrangement would apply to customers on BT, EE and Plusnet, while Three has also confirmed it will not apply any additional fees.

Some of the operators have specified the arrangement lasts for a certain period but that this will be under constant review.

• Ahead of the show why not check our the best 5G phone deals

The relaxation of Covid-19 related restrictions is driving a revival in in-store smartphone sales according to figures from Kantar, which also show that 5G is an increasingly important factor in consumer purchases.

Like many other businesses, electronic retailers and mobile operator stores were forced to close during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, with many only re-opening their doors once government lockdown and social distancing measures were eased.

As a result, smartphone sales shifted to retailer’s online channels and online specialists. However, the closure of physical stores was one of several key factors that saw the mobile phone market contract last year.

• What is 5G? Everything you need to know
• These are the best business SIM-only deals around today
• And the best business broadband deals

Smartphone sales

Kantar says the proportion of in-store sales versus other channels grew by at least 10 percentage points in the US and most key European markets in the second quarter of 2021. In the UK, the figure was 13 points quarter-on-quarter, and the US recorded a 7-point increase.

“As Covid-19 vaccinations continue to roll-out, and businesses open with reduced restrictions, more consumers are high-street shopping,” said Jennifer Chan, Insight Director for Kantar, who explained different kinds of shoppers exhibited different behaviours.

For example, in-store shoppers are more likely to hold onto their device for as long as possible and prefer to buy brands they are familiar with when compared to online customers. Unsurprisingly, the former group are also more likely to want someone to show them how to use their device – something that is far easier in store.

In the UK, all four major operators have made adjustments to their stores to make them as safe as possible for returning customers.

Kantar also noted that 5G is becoming a much more important driver in new handset sales.

Operating market share is fairly stable in Europe and Australia, however iOS was able to increase its share of the American and Chinese markets by two percentage points, while Japan – traditionally a strong market for Apple – saw Android increase its share by five points thanks to strong performances from Oppo and Sharp.

• These are the best rugged smartphones available today 

CK Hutchison’s plans to sell Three’s mobile towers in the UK have hit a stumbling block after competition watchdogs expressed concerns about the deal.

The company hopes the sale of its European tower assets will release capital to invest in 5G networks and struck a €10 billion deal for CK Hutchison’s masts in Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, and the UK last year.

The transactions in the five other countries have gone ahead, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) fears Cellnex will command too much of the market for independent mobile infrastructure.

• These are the best business SIM-only deals around today
• And the best business broadband deals
• Here are the best business mobile phone deals

Cellnex Three

“It’s important that services provided to mobile networks remain competitive so that the millions of businesses and consumers across the UK that use mobile phones can enjoy lower prices,” said Mike Walker, Chief Economic Adviser at the CMA.

“Cellnex is already the largest independent supplier of mobile towers in the UK. We’re concerned that this deal could help to lock in this position and prevent the emergence of new direct competition.”

Spanish-based Cellnex leases out access to ‘passive’ infrastructure such as mobile towers to mobile operators so they can install their active equipment such as antennas to power their services. As an independent operator, Cellnex can maximise the value of these assets by securing arrangements with multiple providers.

The company completed a series of transactions over the past year to strengthen its offering, most notably the acquisition of Arqiva’s masts in 2020. The CMA fears that the combination of Arqiva and Three’s masts would give Cellnex a huge advantage in the UK that could ultimately impact consumers and businesses.

It believes that CK Hutchison could have secured an alternative buyer for its assets – a move that would have maintained competition in the UK market.

The authority has given both parties five days to suggest remedies its concerns or the deal could be referred to a ‘Phase 2’ investigation.

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals

Three’s parent company has agreed to sell its European mobile mast network for €10 billion to Cellnex.

CK Hutchison’s mast assets and businesses in Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and the UK will all be transferred in six separate deals which will close whenever the local regulatory requirements are met.

The first transaction is expected to close by the end of the year with the remainder concluding in 2021.

• These are the best business SIM-only deals around today
• And the best business broadband deals
• Here are the best business mobile phone deals

Three tower sale

Once completed, the two parties will enter into a long-term 15-year agreement in each country, which can be extended by the same length, and will also collaborate on the construction of 6.700 additional sites across the six countries.

CK Hutchison’s operators currently require funding to build 5G networks while the conglomerate’s other businesses in ports and retail are suffering from the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The sale will raise much needed capital and unlock significant gains for shareholders.

"We are pleased to gain a long-term partner in Cellnex while unlocking value in our telecom assets for our shareholders,” said Mr Canning Fok, CKHH’s Group Co-managing Director. “This will improve our operational efficiency and accelerate 5G rollout, put us in a very good position if the right opportunities arise, and provide us an opportunity to enhance our shareholders’ returns."

There has been a flood of investments in the sector by private equity firms in recent years because of the predictable, stable revenues promised by assets such as fibre networks and mobile masts. Meanwhile demand for ultrafast broadband and 5G means there is scope for growth.

This long-term view contrasts with the short-term pressures that network investment imposes on mobile operators who are in the middle of expensive network builds. An independent operator would also be able to agree deals with multiple operators, increasing revenues.

Spanish-based Cellnex has snapped up a vast array of infrastructure assets over the past few months, recently securing deals for towers in Portugal and Poland. Earlier this year it also concluded a deal to with Arqiva to buy masts the UK’s largest independent network infrastructure operator.

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals

Three UK’s parent company CK Hutchison has confirmed it is in “advanced talks” to sell its European mobile masts for €10 billion to Cellnex but has yet to reach a decision on whether to go ahead with the deal.

There has been a flood of investments in the sector by private equity firms in recent years because of the predictable, stable revenues promised by assets such as fibre networks and mobile masts.

Meanwhile demand for ultrafast broadband and 5G means there is scope for growth.

• These are the best business SIM-only deals around today
• And the best business broadband deals
• Here are the best business mobile phone deals

CK Hutchison towers

This long-term view contrasts with the short-term pressures that network investment imposes on mobile operators who are in the middle of expensive network builds. An independent operator would also be able to agree deals with multiple operators, increasing revenues.

CK Hutchison’s operators currently require funding to build 5G networks while the conglomerate’s other businesses in ports and retail are suffering from the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. A sale of towers would raise much needed capital.

In a submission to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, CK Hutchison confirmed the talks but added the caveat that “no decision has been taken to proceed with any transaction and there can be no certainty that any transaction will proceed or, if it does, what the scope or terms of such transaction would be.”

Spanish-based Cellnex has snapped up a vast array of infrastructure assets over the past few months, recently securing deals for towers in Portugal and Poland. Earlier this year it also concluded a deal to with Arqiva to buy masts the UK’s largest independent network infrastructure operator.

Vodafone has also spun off most of its European tower assets into a separate entity and is planning an IPO for 2021.

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals

UK mobile operators will be banned from buying telecoms equipment from Huawei by the end of the year and will also have to strip out existing 5G kit made by the company by 2027.

In a dramatic reversal of previous policy, the government said it expected the ruling to delay 5G rollout by up to three years and add £2 billion of additional costs to operators.

This could mean higher bills for customers and will inevitably threaten the UK’s bid to be a leader in 5G, which had been boosted by early launches by EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden did confirm, however, that existing 2G, 3G and 4G kit can remain in place until it must be replaced.

• What is 5G? Everything you need to know
• Huawei details 5G base station and modem chips
• US has 'no evidence' for claims against Huawei

Huawei UK

Although Huawei has long been frozen out of the US market on national security grounds, the company has had a presence in the UK for two decades and is a supplier for all four operators. It had been expected that these relationships would continue into the 5G era despite the US government’s calls for its allies to follow its lead and ban Huawei from their mobile infrastructure.

The UK had resisted such calls and in January confirmed that although Huawei gear would be banned from 5G cores, operators could continue to use the firm’s radio gear – effectively preserving the status quo.

However Washington’s ongoing hostilities towards Huawei and recent sanctions that affect its ability to source microchips appear to have finally turned the tide. The decision is a huge blow for Huawei which will now fear other Western governments might follow suit and exclude it from their 5G rollouts.

Ed Brewster, a spokesperson for Huawei UK, said:

"This disappointing decision is bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone. It threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide," said Ed Brewster, Huawei UK spokesperson. "Instead of ‘levelling up’ the government is levelling down and we urge them to reconsider. We remain confident that the new US restrictions would not have affected the resilience or security of the products we supply to the UK.

"Regrettably our future in the UK has become politicized, this is about US trade policy and not security. Over the past 20 years, Huawei has focused on building a better connected UK. As a responsible business, we will continue to support our customers as we have always done.

"We will conduct a detailed review of what today’s announcement means for our business here and will work with the UK government to explain how we can continue to contribute to a better connected Britain."

Earlier in the day, Huawei UK chairman Lord Browne stepped down from his position ahead of the ruling.

Operators had argued that a ban on Huawei kit would increase costs, reduce innovation, and cause serious disruption to 5G rollouts. An independent assessment from Assembly Research had suggested the a delay in roll out could cost the UK economy up to £6.8 billion and lead to delays of up to two years.

However most carriers seemed resigned to the fact that a ban would be issued and more recently turned their attention to minimising the impact of any restrictions. Given that telecoms equipment has a limited shelf-life of less than a decade, it was hoped that any requirement to remove kit could be integrated into planned upgrade programmes, minimising costs and disruption.

Vodafone had claimed the bill for stripping out networking equipment could run into the billions, while BT CEO Philip Jansen had warned an accelerated timeframe could harm 5G and fibre rollouts, exacerbate potential security issues and even cause service interruptions.

“If we get in a situation where things need to go very, very fast then you’re into a situation where potentially service for 24 million BT Group mobile customers is put into question,” he told BBC Radio 4. “Outages would be possible.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden accepted the difficulties of an accelerated timetable and the additional cost and gave these as reasons for the 2027 deadline. Whether this explanation is enough to placate Tory backbenchers remains to be seen.

• Best Huawei phones: find your perfect Huawei

Delays to the rollout of 5G in the UK as a result of the coronavirus outbreak are inevitable, according a report from PwC.

Britain has been a leader in 5G so far, with all four operators launching commercial services and having plans in place for nationwide rollouts.

However social distancing measures amplify the challenge of building and upgrading infrastructure, while lockdown measures in China have disrupted the supply chain for new equipment.

Industry standards body 3GPP was due to release a new standalone variant of 5G this summer but work on future releases of the technology has been delayed.

• Coronavirus: Operators set for short term pain but long term gain
• Openreach to prioritise essential work during coronavirus
• Coronavirus: Networks offer free access to NHS Online

UK 5G delay

The crisis has elevated the role of communications in society. Mobile and broadband networks have been essential for communicating with colleagues and loved ones, accessing business applications or education resources, and for entertainment purposes that lessen the constraints of restricted movement.

The focus among operators has shifted towards essential repairs and ensuring business continuity as customers become increasingly reliant on connectivity. Operators have offered additional data allowances, offered free access to education and health resources, and pledged not to leave anyone disconnected. 5G rollout has taken a backseat for the time being.

Such warnings echo those made by Ericsson last month.

“The need for 5G might seem more urgent than ever, not just for the faster speed of communication but because of the promise of low latency connectivity and ability to enable large numbers of objects to communicate simultaneously,” said PwC. “Though neither are available yet, these capabilities can enhance productivity in industry, healthcare and transportation, and may aid the recovery from the pandemic and any subsequent financial downturn. But a significant delay appears inevitable.”

The report suggests lockdown will have a long-term impact on user behaviours and operators may have to adjust investment strategies accordingly. Mobile revenues may decrease because customers are spending less time away from home and more time on their Wi-Fi networks. Business revenues and roaming income will be particularly hard hit. On top of this, reduced demand for new smartphones will make it more difficult to shift 5G data plans.

PwC says an increase in remote working is likely even after restrictions are lifting and operators will need to offer new tariffs that take into account mixed use cases. For example, a combination of consumer data services alongside enterprise security and collaboration tools could help offset declining business revenues.

Analysts say telcos should be on the lookout for acquisitions that can diversify revenue income – and redirect 5G budget if necessary: “If the further roll-out of 5G is postponed until the latter half of 2021 the telecoms industry will need to make some tough, pragmatic decisions. Operators may need to consider reallocating some of the money earmarked for 5G to other areas in the interim.”

• Here are the best mobile phone deals for May 2020  

Three has signed a deal to become the official shirt sponsor of Chelsea FC from next season, providing the mobile operator with greater visibility and marketing clout as it continues its 5G rollout.

The company’s logo will adorn the kits of the senior men’s and women’s teams, as well as the club’s academy sides from the start of the 2020-2021 campaign. By that point, Three would have hoped to have launched 5G mobile services.

A 5G-enabled Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband service was made available in central London last August and Three had planned to go live with 5G mobile in 25 towns and cities before the end of 2019. However it has delayed this window until Q1 2020, saying it needed more time to get everything ready.

• Three: Our 5G claims are based on fact
• Three CEO: Capacity not speed is benefit of 5G
• Keep up with the latest 5G in the UK

Three Chelsea

The Chelsea partnership will be a significant boost to its marketing efforts as it looks to win market share from the likes of EE, O2 and Vodafone.

“Chelsea FC is many teams in one club – and it is important to us that this sponsorship covers not only the men’s team, but also the women’s and the Academy as well,” said Three CEO Dave Dyson. “Three UK has enough 5G spectrum to put us in the top 10 holdings in the world and give our customers the very best 5G service, and we want to be with the team that can drive that winning message over the next few years.”

Although Three’s logo has adorned the shirts of the Ireland national rugby union team and the Australian cricket team, the UK division has never sponsored a Premier League team before. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, tie-ups were common with O2 sponsoring Arsenal, Vodafone teaming up with Manchester United and One2One securing an agreement with Everton.

This latest agreement will be more of an integrated partnership, as is common with modem major commercial deals, as Chelsea seeks to accelerate its digital efforts.

“Mobile technology has revolutionised the way football clubs and supporters interact with each other which makes Chelsea FC and Three such natural partners,” added Guy Laurence, himself a former Vodafone UK CEO.

“We have a social media following of over 100 million and the official app, The 5th Stand, has had nearly four million downloads. We stream live women’s and Academy football with men’s first team highlights available soon after matches. 

"It truly is an area from which regular fans are benefitting and as communications technology develops in the coming years, Three will be at the forefront of the advances with the exciting roll out of 5G networks, helping to enhance and expand the experience of being a Chelsea supporter in the modern digital age.

 “With Three, we have found a partner, who share our passion for innovation and we are delighted to have them on board and on our shirts.”

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals for January 2020

Huawei has opened a 5G Innovation and Experience Centre in London as it steps up its efforts to promote the virtue of next generation networking – and its own technology in the process.

The Chinese firm describes the facility as a “base for knowledge and skills sharing” with the stated ambition of promoting collaboration between business and innovators in the development of 5G ecosystems.

It also offers visitors a chance to experience 5G applications, including Virtual and Augmented Realities (VR and AR), as well as new innovations in industry.

• What does Huawei US ban mean for you?
• What is 5G? Everything you need to know
• US has 'no evidence' for Huawei claims

Huawei 5G UK

“With the opening of our 5G Innovation and Experience Centre in London we, as a leader of 5G, are taking another important step,” said Huawei’s Victor Zhang. “What we have opened today will enable true collaboration amongst UK businesses and technologists and showcase the huge potential of 5G applications for both the private and business sectors.”

The opening forms part of Huawei’s ongoing mission to promote 5G and the importance of its role in the deployment of networks and the economic value it can deliver to industries such as healthcare and manufacturing.

The company has so far signed 60 commercial 5G contracts, including with all four UK mobile operators.

However its future in the UK is uncertain due to ongoing political pressure from the US to ban the use of Huawei kit in 5G on national security grounds. Huawei has denied any allegations of wrongdoing, while Washington has not produced any evidence to supports its allegations.

US pressure has had limited effect on Europe, where Huawei has a significant presence. There is little support for a ban because of concerns that costs would rise and innovation would decline as a result. Meanwhile Huawei has called for a cross-industry approach to security – hence its emphasis on collaboration.

In the UK, it was suggested that Huawei would be banned from the core layer of 5G networks – but not the radio layer. This would, in effect, maintain the status quo. However the government has still not reached a final decision with reports suggesting Prime Minister Boris Johnson is inclined to follow the US’s lead.

• Here are the best deals for Huawei mobile phones in November 2019

5G networks powered by mid-range spectrum offer speeds close to those enabled by higher capacity millimetre Wave (mmWave) frequencies, Opensignal’s latest figures have suggested.

5G will use a mixture of low, mid and high-band spectrum, each of which offers a combination of range and capacity.  

The US, which is using mmWave spectrum, still has the world’s fastest maximum speed of 1.8Gbps – however this remains unchanged from Opensignal’s first round of 5G testing back in July.

• 5G in the UK: the what, where and how much
• 5G phone deals - the best prices and contracts
• BT is switching on its 5G network in Autumn

5G network speeds

However Australia has witnessed a huge increase of 500Mbps from 792Mbps to 1.29Gbps, while Switzerland and South Korea also improved speeds. The UAE is fifth after increasing its maximum from 665Mbps to 961Mbps. All are using mid-range frequencies between 3.4 and 3.8GHz.

Opensignal, which records ‘real life’ readings from user smartphones, first tested maximum 5G speeds back in July. It assessed networks in eight countries – including the UK – and has expanded this to 12 for its most recent report.

Finland with 933Mbps, and Kuwait with 890Mbps now have faster 5G speeds than Italy, while Germany’s 740Mbps and Romania’s 712Mbps are superior than Spain and the UK. Indeed, Spain increased its number by 64Mbps to 666Mbps – overtaking the UK in the process.

The UK’s modest increase from 569Mbps to 599Mbps means it was last overall.

However 5G deployment is still at an early stage. Operators are at the start of their technological roadmap and coverage is still limited. Network upgrades will see maximum speeds increase over time, especially when Stand Alone 5G is commercially available.

“It’s still very early days for 5G, and coverage is still limited. There are only a handful of 5G smartphone models available. And, the version of 5G operators have deployed is the very first version of 5G which still relies on a smartphone connecting simultaneously to a 4G signal — non-standalone mode. All of this will change and improve with the upcoming second version of the 5G standard.”

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals for September 2019

Last week, EE confirmed that it would offer unlimited data plans with no speed restrictions for both its 4G and 5G customers. The announcement marked a significant turnaround for the operator, whose initial 5G plans promised significant data limits but no truly limitless option.

But the reversal was perhaps inevitable. EE might have been the first UK operator to launch 5G earlier this year, but Vodafone’s promise of unlimited data plans for consumers and businesses was truly surprising.

Coupled with the fact that Three has long offered unlimited data on its 3G and 4G networks, EE was starting to look a bit out of touch.

• EE offers unlimited 5G
• Vodafone goes unlimited with 5G
• What is 5G? Everything you need to know

Unlimited 5G data

The technical credibility of EE’s 4G and 5G networks and the fact that most users don’t exceed their data allowance would get lost in the conversation if EE scored a marketing own goal of not offering unlimited data.

As operators seek to communicate the advantages of 5G to consumers, perception is everything.

Unlimited data plans were all the rage during the 3G era, but mobile applications back then were significantly less data intensive and operators needed to do everything they could to get customers to migrate.

However as smartphones grew in popularity, the UK’s mobile infrastructure started to creak under the pressure. The launch of 4G networks offered significant improvements in terms of speed and capacity.

EE was first to launch in 2012 – nearly a year before its rivals – and it seized the opportunity to abandon unlimited plans. Industry observers at the time were surprised but felt that all operators would be grateful for any move away from the “all-you-can-eat” model of consumption that had seen mobile data become a commodity.

New opportunities

In the 5G era, EE’s first-mover advantage is less secure and it has been forced into action by the aggressive moves of its competitors. There is also a recognition that EE may not be able to maintain a premium on 5G for very long because of changing market conditions.

In any case, data limits are becoming increasingly anachronistic. The capacity gains afforded by 5G are significant and the cost of transmission for operators is reduced. Data limits might influence users to they consume less, but if they’re not getting anywhere near their limit then what’s the point?

5G offers mobile operators the opportunity to offer entirely new consumer services – including Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband services without data limits – and converged products. And in the long run, business will benefit from a whole host of applications.

If consumers believe they are being restricted then they are less likely to embrace 5G and lower consumption means lower revenues. The new use cases reduce the risk of data becoming commoditised and the focus for operators should be on these new possibilities.

The era of unlimited is back, and this time it’s unlikely to go away.

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals for September 2019

Revenue generated from 5G infrastructure will nearly double to $4.2 billion next year, as operators around the world begin to launch next-generation network services, says Gartner.

The first commercial 5G services went live last year in the US, with South Korea, the UK and Switzerland among several nations to follow suit. In the UK, EE and Vodafone offer mobile 5G networks, while Three has a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband services.

Globally, Gartner believes seven per cent of operators have already deployed 5G infrastructure in their networks ahead of expanded rollouts over the next two years

• 5G in the UK: the what, where and how much
• 5G phone deals - the best prices and contracts
• BT is switching on its 5G network in Autumn

5G Revenues

Last year, just $613 million was generated by 5G, a figure that is expected to increase to $2.2 billion in 2019. By 2021, revenues will reach $6.8 billion, say analysts.

Investments have so far focused on 5G New Radio (5G NR) equipment, which uses the same core infrastructure as LTE. However starting next year, operators will start to deploy ‘standalone’ 5G that uses a new core network.

The use of a 5G core will reduce operating costs for telcos and significantly lower latency – a development which will enable a whole host of new enterprise applications and revenue opportunities.

 “5G wireless network infrastructure revenue will nearly double between 2019 and 2020,” said Sylvain Fabre, senior research director at Gartner. “For 5G deployments in 2019, CSPs are using non-stand-alone technology. This enables them to introduce 5G services that run more quickly, as 5G New Radio (NR) equipment can be rolled out alongside existing 4G core network infrastructure.”

Gartner believes 5G will account for six per cent of telco revneues in 2019, before increasing to 12 per cent in 2020. However, although coverage will expand significantly, analysts believe rollout will be slower than 3G and 4G.

“National 5G coverage will not occur as quickly as with past generations of wireless infrastructure,” added Fabre. “To maintain average performance standards as 5G is built out, CSPs will need to undertake targeted strategic improvements to their 4G legacy layer, by upgrading 4G infrastructure around 5G areas of coverage.

“A less robust 4G legacy layer adjoining 5G cells could lead to real or perceived performance issues as users move from 5G to 4G/LTE Advanced Pro. This issue will be most pronounced from 2019 through 2021, a period when 5G coverage will be focused on hot spots and areas of high population density.”

• Compare the best Vodafone deals

Britain will rethink the future role of Huawei in its telecoms infrastructure, a leading US politician has said.

US national security adviser John Bolton, who is visiting the UK in a trade capacity, has said British officials had told him that they planned to revisit the issue following the appointment of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister.

Huawei has long been excluded from US mobile and broadband networks on national security grounds and Washington is urging its allies to follow suit.

UK Huawei

• What does Huawei US ban mean for you?
• What is 5G? Everything you need to know
• US has 'no evidence' for Huawei claims

“They were very concerned about not having any compromise in security of telecommunications in the 5G space,” Bolton is quoted as saying by the Financial Times. “What they said was ‘we would like to review this and be very sure about our decision and we too are concerned about the security of our 5G telecommunications network’.”

The Chinese vendor has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and the US has provided no evidence to support its claims. Nonetheless, the US has persisted with its calls for Huawei to banned in the other nations.

The UK has been conducting its own review of Huawei and a conclusion had been expected earlier this year. Leaks suggested Huawei would be banned from core network infrastructure but not the radio element of 5G networks – effectively maintaining the status quo.

All four major UK networks are Huawei customers and there is no desire for any ban as they believe such action would reduce innovation and increase prices.

However when a wider review of the UK telecom sector’s supply chain was finally published last month, a final decision was omitted.

Since then, Boris Johnson has replaced Theresa May as Prime Minister and is understood to be more favourable to many of US President Donald Trump’s views and policies.

The role of Huawei in the UK could impact trade discussions between the US and UK after Brexit and also intelligence sharing. A number of US officials have said that the latter could be limited if Huawei equipment was continued to be used in the UK.

• Here are the best deals for Huawei mobile phones in July 2019 

Via FT

Three is starting to migrate customers to a brand-new cloud-based core network ahead of the launch of its 5G service in August.

The core network has been tested with more than 3,500 staff since February and is now ready to handle commercial traffic. 4G customers will also be moved onto the new core, meaning all users will benefit.

The infrastructure, delivered by Nokia, is a key component of Three’s £2 billion 5G investment programme, which also includes new equipment, spectrum and an IT transformation.

• Three CEO: Capacity not speed is benefit of 5G
• Three bigs up 5G FWA
• What is 5G? Everything you need to know

Three 5G core

5G networks will deliver improved speeds, greater capacity, and ultra-low latency that will enable a raft of new consumer and business applications. Three’s new core network will make it easier and quicker to rollout new services, while also improving the cost-effectiveness of its infrastructure.

To improve latency even further, Three has moved away from using just three data centres in London and the Midlands to 21 dotted around the country. This means that data processing in the core is performed closer to the point of collection.

All data centres have also been connected to fibre to reduce the time it takes to send data between mast and core. All of Three’s mobile sites have been connected to the core since December.

Three says the combination of the core network and its significant spectrum holdings will allow it to deliver enhanced capacity for customers and the UK’s fastest 5G speeds.

“UK consumers have an insatiable appetite for data as well as an expectation of high reliability.  We are well positioned to deliver both as we prepare for the launch of the UK’s fastest 5G network,” said Three CEO Dave Dyson.

Three sees 5G as its opportunity to transform from the UK’s smallest mobile operator into the market leader thanks to its significant spectrum holdings boosted by auction victories and the acquisition of UK Broadband (which operates the Relish Fixed Wireless Access broadband service).

In addition to a 5G FWA, Three will launch 5G mobile services in 25 towns and cities before the end of the year.

•  Here are the best Three mobile phone deals for July 2019

The parent companies of Three and O2 in the UK are partnering to offer fixed, mobile and other digital communications services to large enterprises and multinational organisations.

CK Hutchison and Telefonica say their complementary network and sales footprints will enhance their ability to offer connectivity to more parts of the world and help drive Digital Transformation projects.

Last year, CK Hutchison created an Innovations Opportunities Development unit (CKH IOD) to identify and create digital services across the various businesses under its control. It joins ten other mobile operators in Telefonica’s Partners Program, which now covers 65 nations and 1.8 billion users.

• Three creates IoD unit
• FC Barcelona gets first 5G stadium
• O2 5G to go live in 2019

CK Hutchison Telefonica

The first territory to be covered by the new arrangement is Italy, where CK Hutchison owns Wind Tre, with Austria, Denmark, Ireland and Sweden set to follow.

The UK is not covered by the partnership and the two companies will continue to compete in the market. If a customer requests a solution in a market where both operators are present, then they will offer two separate proposals.

A merger between O2 and Three was blocked in 2017 amid concerns the reduction from four operators to three would distort competition and negatively impact consumers.

“This partnership with Telefonica is key to [our] growth strategy,” said Susan Buttsworth, CEO of CKH IOD. “It enhances our own capabilities across our territories, gives us access to a world-class suite of digital solutions and enables our customers to access services through Telefonica’s footprint in the rest of Europe and Latin America as well as through the other operators in the Partner Program.”

“We are very pleased with the alliance with CKH IOD, its amazing track record and the synergies that will create,” added Jacobo García-Palencia, global director of Strategic Alliances at Telefónica.

“It will reinforce our Partners Program as a way to jointly capture the opportunities that digital transformation offers our customers. We are confident that this agreement will bring important benefits to both our Groups and continue to enhance our strong network of telco partners across the world”.

•  Here are the best O2 mobile phone deals for 2019

Speed isn’t everything when it comes to video performance on mobile networks, says OpenSignal, which found that European operators in general deliver a superior experience to their global rivals.

With video a major source of mobile traffic around the world, streaming is becoming an increasingly important metric for network benchmarking and in terms of how consumers choose an operator.

OpenSignal, which aggregated data from more than eight million devices, ranked countries out of 100 based on how quickly video loaded and how it stalled or stuttered at various resolutions.

•   Everything you need to know about 5G  

Mobile video performance

The most interesting finding is that once a threshold of 15Mbps is reached, speed has little impact on the quality of video performance.

This means that South Korea, which has the world’s fastest mobile networks, ranks only 16th in the video index, while European nations concerned about falling behind in the race to 5G, perform well. Eight of the top ten nations are European, with the Czech Republic occupying the top spot.

However France was the bottom ranked European nation, while Germany, Italy and the UK all finished in the bottom half. OpenSignal says this reflects a wider trend in more ‘developed’ European countries where 4G speeds and availability are stagnating and even falling.

It says that the prevalence of unlimited data plans, the availability of new spectrum, aging infrastructure and low levels of investment amid intense competition and declining revenues could be contributory factors in some of these countries.

In the UK, EE and Vodafone offer the best video experience with a rating of 62, while O2 scored 58 and Three 56.

However no country achieved a rating of ‘Excellent’, which was 75 or above.

“Europe put in a particularly impressive performance in our video experience analysis, beating the East Asian mobile powerhouses at their own game. But none of the countries we analysed made it into the Excellent range, meaning the mobile industry still has work to do when it comes to a great user video experience,” concluded OpenSignal.

“We've seen that countries with extremely powerful LTE networks in terms of speed and availability aren't necessarily providing the best video experience, and if Europe's operators want to break into the Excellent category, then building out faster and faster LTE-Advanced networks isn't necessarily the answer.”

•   Here are the best mobile phone deals for October 2018 

Superdrug is to launch its own Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), offering discounted connectivity to members of its loyalty programme.

The service is exclusive to holders of a Superdrug Health and BeautyCard and costs £10 a month for 4GB of data and unlimited calls and texts. Any unused data can be rolled over the following month and if it is used up, then there are top ups on offer.

Several other retailers have their own MVNO, but Superdrug’s attempt to use one to foster customer loyalty and acquire more marketing data is novel. Indeed, any card holder on the network will get double points when they make purchases in-store.

Superdrug Three

The network is powered by Three, which is also used by Carphone Warehouse’s iD Mobile and SMARTY – an online only MVNO from Three itself. Indeed, Three and Superdrug are both owned by CK Hutchison and there are several Three concessions in Superdrug stores.

“We are very excited about Superdrug Mobile, which is a great example of an already strong brand further strengthening its customer engagement model through a mobile offering,” said Three’s director of wholesale, Lynda Burton.

“We worked closely together on the complex task of integrating their loyalty scheme into a mobile offering to deliver a great product. We understand that brand owners are not always telecoms experts, so we make things simple so that our partners can focus on managing their customers while we take care of everything else.”

Last month CK Hutchison announced a Europe-wide agreement with Xiaomi to sell its smartphones. Both Three and Superdrug were mentioned as stockists for the devices.

• Check out the best mobile deals for June 2018 

‘Binge-watching is the new mindfulness.‘

That was a theory posited at a recent panel debate on the growing trend of hammering through ‘box-set‘ TV series in marathon viewing sessions, and it immediately set off an alarm in my mind.

Mindfulness? Really? Should we class binge-watching as a chance to switch off, meditate and calm our minds… or as another form of addiction that’s being spread across all demographics as access to online streaming platforms grows at a rapid rate?

According to a recent report by UK telecoms regulator Ofcom, there are 40 million people in the UK alone using online services to watch multiple episodes in one sitting, so there’s clearly an appetite for this ‘new’ way of consuming content.

The panel that was convened to discuss the topic of binge-watching was certainly well qualified. It featured key players from Samsung, UK mobile network Three and Netflix, all of whom have a decent idea of how the streaming market looks at the moment, at an event to promote the network’s new unlimited media streaming plan.

An interesting question was posed: should Netflix come with a warning before streaming begins, in the same way as news programming warns of flashing images?

The case was made that streaming services are possibly having harmful effects on health, for example by altering the sleeping patterns of people desperate to watch ‘just one more’ episode of their favorite shows… and that making content even more accessible on the mobile could only compound that issue.

That theory was backed up in the Ofcom report, which said a third of adults using the streaming services were caving into the temptation of watching another episode, and that this was costing them sleep. As a result many were trying to ration their viewing, find something else to do or even canceling their access altogether.

How much is too much?

The question of whether binge-watching is harmful to health isn’t something that can be easily or conclusively answered. It’s incredibly subjective, and depends in part on how you define bingeing.

Some people will stream a series over several weeks, their self-rationing automatic. For others, the craving to devour a series in one sitting is all-consuming, meaning they’ll push the boundaries to watch it as quickly as possible. That can include forgoing sleep – and that’s something that does carry associated health risks.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has issued advice on making sure binge-watching doesn’t affect your daily life – although Netflix apparently treats the fact that people will lose out on sleep as a positive, rather than a risk factor.

Chris Whiteley, Director of Partnerships at Netflix and Three CEO Dyson agreed that most users are aware of their limits when it comes to binge-watching, but emphasized that self-regulation was important.

Whiteley went on to say that he didn’t see over-consumption as a huge problem, pointing to the fact that the streaming platform encourages people to “binge responsibly”, that the platform is “giving freedom and putting choice in people’s hands“ and that the brand is trying to use ratings and content warnings to allow people to decide when and how much to watch.

“We’d much rather people made the decision themselves (whether or not to binge),“ he said. “People are pretty smart.“

David Dyson, CEO of Three UK, also pointed out that online streaming services like Netflix aren’t the beginning of bingeing.

“I didn’t see [such] warnings on the front of a book, saying excessive reading could make you blind by 18,” he said. “People will generally know their limits.”

Born to binge?

This is one of the key points in the debate over whether binge-watching offers a positive or negative effect on health – people will always be drawn to what they enjoy. 

Video games, after all, can come with a warning about excessive use despite being something you’d imagine people would self-regulate – and yet books don’t.

However, until recently TV had never offered the same all-or-nothing consumption option as books, with weekly scheduling dictating how quickly you’d move through a storyline. It wasn’t until the DVD box set appeared that people started to gorge on content.

Hilda Burke, who's an integrative psychotherapist, couples counsellor and life coach, says the shift in how series are being delivered could be giving rise to a new kind of temptation.

“I think it's simply the 'supply'. If you only have one episode per week shown, like in the old days, your consumption is naturally limited to that one episode per week,“ she says. “With a whole bunch of episodes dropped at once, the only thing between yourself and bulk consumption is your self-control.“

But there’s a key difference between the way books and TV are consumed: reading is something you need to actively engage in, whereas lying back on a sofa and letting pixels fall into your eyes requires no effort at all. 

You can even fall asleep and it’ll still rumble on – whereas with a book the only thing that might happen is you’re startled as the heavy tome strikes you in the face.

Even a DVD marathon has an active element within it – when your disc is finished, you need to decide whether to get off the sofa/out of bed and load the next one.

With Netflix not only is that proactive element removed, but the new autoplay feature is an ever-present temptress, cajoling you to move to the next episode without needing to do a thing, aside from tapping a button after a while to ensure you’re still watching.

And it's this that’s raising questions over our shifting viewing habits – that fact that we can be fed endless excitement by literally just sitting there.

A shifting future

It’s hard to say what place services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and other online services have in the digital, always-connected world more and more, of us inhabit these days. 

But the recent fall in levels of mental well-being in the UK is a worrying trend, and it’s been hypothesized that our connected lives are to blame.

While boredom is generally perceived as a negative thing, it’s also the time when the brain switches off from constantly searching for the next reward, and that’s crucial to mental wellbeing.

Andy Puddicombe, co-founder of online meditation and mindfulness service Headspace, says that the increase in digital stimulation is causing users to seek counterbalance.

“It means that for many, the mind is in a constant state of activity, stimulation and distraction,” he adds. ”We might be able to manage this for short periods of time, but over an extended period the mind is simply unable to keep up, it gets tired and may even burn out. This is why it’s so important to build in some time to rest the mind.”

“Obviously meditation is a great way to do that, and many of the people who try Headspace do so at first as a way to cope with digital overload.”

The Ofcom study mentioned above proves that – in the UK at least – binge-watching is enjoyed far more by the younger generations, with 53% of young teenagers enjoying long sessions of series watching, compared to the 16% of  over-65s.

Just what this access to so much content is doing to the human psyche still needs to be studied, but it’s hard to argue with the fact that today’s generation is being exposed to vastly more information than any that’s preceded it, and enjoying instant gratification through content. But why is that happening?

Are smartphones making us dumb?

The fact that our smartphones are the portal to all this content and information is creating some potentially excessive behaviours, with studies showing that social media especially is causing Pavlovian reactions amongst users; the constant scrolling and responding to the buzz or ping of a notification, and the sheer immediacy of connection to others, mean boredom is increasingly hard to achieve.

Some characterize this action as triggering the ‘pleasure chemical’ of the brain (often – mistakenly – referred to as dopamine), and our dependence on smartphones as a constant desire to trigger the sweet hit of that neurochemical.

While that’s been proved to be a myth, dopamine could still be to blame for the current decline in mental health, as its presence in the brain causes a ‘seeking’ effect in the subject. That seeking could be for food, information, movement, comfort, distraction… it’s a key motivator in how we live our life, and its absence has been linked to depression.

And constant access to information is only going to stimulate that seeking mechanism, with so much available and so readily, the tantalizing thought of learning, happiness or laughter always around the corner.

There's the suggestion that we’re all becoming devoid of self-control, the lack of enforced quiet meaning we never let our brains switch off and rest – which is an intangible need but one that you feel would be dangerous to lose.

Alastair Mordey is programme director at The Edge, an addiction rehabilitation center in Thailand. He says that device addiction is something the center encourages young men that seek help to break, asking them to leave their phones at the door when entering the facility.

“We encourage our young men to put down their mobile devices and engage in meditation and sports such as triathlon and kickboxing,“  he says. “Cardio[vascular] exercise encourages the growth of new brain cells, lowering depression and anxiety, and meditation increases the density of grey matter in the brain which increases the ability to concentrate.“ 

In researching the dopamine myth, we came across a viral video featuring Simon Sinek, one which mistakenly blames dopamine as partly to blame for it being so hard to manage the millennial generation.

While that’s been proven incorrect, the video does make a valid point: newer generations are being imbued with the belief they can achieve as much as they want, that they can be as socially mobile as they can handle, and with so much pleasurable information and entertainment around, it’s a feeling that quickly gets confirmed – but could leave them susceptible to struggling with failure in adult life.

So what does this all have to do with online streaming? Well, in order to deal with this information overload and the stress it can bring, many look to extreme escapism – ironically using the very device that could be causing it in the first place.

Binge-watching becomes an instant form of digital distraction, a chance for the mind to rest while digesting simple and enjoyable stories. Just because Netflix or Spotify is as instantly accessible as scrolling through Twitter, it doesn’t mean it’s the cause of the problem though.

A positive activity

There are undoubtedly positives to binge-watching and this instant access to so much content. Headspace’s website even has blogs on the positive effects of enjoying a series session with a loved one, enjoying shared laughter or engaging emotionally with a character and that providing insight into your own relationship.

In fact, it’s impossible to classify binge-watching as positive or negative - something Headspace’s Puddicombe believes is more to do with the binger than the activity: “We are all different, and what works for one person may well not work for another. 

“If it makes us feel overstimulated, is a cause for insomnia, or means that our relationships start to suffer in some way, then that’s not going to be great for our health. 

“But if you have the time, the freedom, the inclination, and you enjoy it, then I don’t see any real harm in it at all.”

It’s clear that mindfulness and the ‘always-on’ culture are at opposite forces, even if neither is necessarily detrimental to health. So to classify online streaming as mindful isn’t something the experts agree with.. 

“Under no circumstances could sitting down watching TV for hours on end while distracted by an engaging and exciting storyline be considered a form of mindfulness. Nice try though!” laughed Puddicombe.

That’s a view echoed by Smita Joshi, a mindfulness and meditation expert.

“Mindfulness requires that you focus in a way that soothes the mind as well as increases awareness. Binge-watching is more akin to escapism and deferral of the ‘what's so’ rather than becoming more ‘present’ to the entirety and lushness of the moment,” she said. 

“So binge watching and mindfulness are not comparable and indeed, are quite opposite to each other. That said, binge watching is sometimes good to do, providing it's done in moderation, because it can help to mentally ‘switch off’. However, it should not in any way be confused with mindfulness or meditation.”

And it’s not like spending hours glued to entertainment is a new phenomenon - we’ve all spent hours mindlessly flicking through TV channels looking for something to watch. 

Instead of that people are now being given things to watch they actually are looking forward to devouring. Netflix’s Whiteley says the company has seen a three day gap between users finishing one series and starting another, the time in between often filled with standalone shows, including documentaries or shows related to the series just watched.

The data created using online services allows the platforms to serve up ever-more relevant and enjoyable content to users when they want it, and giving platforms to filmmakers that wouldn’t have had access to such an audience.

“We’re giving people the freedom to watch what they like, when they like,” says Whiteley. “We get [content creators’] stories across - Netflix wants to be a global platform for storytellers to come and tell their stories.

“These stories are commissioned from all around the world - why should people wait three, six or 12 months [to watch it]?. 

“Why shouldn’t someone be able to tell that around the world instantly? We can translate it into different languages - it might not have fitted into commercial broadcaster’s [preferences], but if you’re interested, we can get that in front of you.”

Kids are still the future

Perhaps the issue is simply just too recent to understand. Access to information has accelerated exponentially for the last 70 years, meaning each generation is faced with ever-greater opportunities for entertainment… which also brings a challenge for parents trying to ensure their children are growing up with healthy limits.

The worry exists that the younger generation doesn’t have to ‘graft’ for their entertainment or information in the way their elders did, and that will bring a reduction in boredom, stillness or the things that some believe offer our brains the chance to switch off or grow in creativity.

But the same accusation has been levelled at many different activities over the years, and used to demonise the activity rather than consider what it’s actually doing to society.

Hilda Burke agrees that the parent is still the key guardian in the development of children’s mental well-being: “I think there's always some sort of perceived threat to the 'youth of today'. Two generations ago the challenge was TV, then computer games, with a lot of doom-mongering around each in turn would be the ‘downfall of kids’. 

“The fact is, there'll always be something that 'threatens' children's well being or might turn them into lazy couch potatoes unfit for work or to just 'graft' more generally. It's nothing new. 

“But by parents setting firm boundaries and modelling a more balanced way of consuming TV, children are likely to pick that up.”

The thing is - we are irreversibly plugged into this digital world as a society. We’re not all going to give up our smartphones to see how it makes us feel, we’re not going to stop checking social media no matter what health organisations warn and services are still going to keep offering high-quality entertainment with almost no barriers to consumption.

But that doesn’t mean it will be a bad thing - just a new thing, only our own guilt at taking such pleasure causing us to worry.

“We are so early in the evolution of this technology. I don’t think we have even come close to finding a healthy balance of how to use it yet,” says Puddicombe.

“Like so many things, we often have to see the two extremes before we find the middle. Part of the challenge right now is that we want everything immediately, but we don’t like how it makes us feel. It’s a bit like eating 10 tubs of ice cream, just because it’s in the freezer, but knowing that it’s not going to feel so good after. 

“So this dynamic creates a lot of tension in our life. But I think in the future, there will be a better understanding, whereby people enjoy the convenience of instant, whilst aware of the dangers of overconsumption. That’s the best of both worlds.”

The positives are clear too - whether it’s children being able to virtually interact with a concept through a headset rather than reading it in a dusty old book, or being able to watch documentaries from the other side of the globe as easily as switching on the television, we shouldn’t instantly demonise things like binge-watching just because it seems ‘too easy’.

It’s impossible to predict how we’re going to consume media in the future, or the effect all this information is having on each subsequent generation. But as long as we don’t all live in individual cabins tailored to popular Netflix shows… we should be OK.

Outages of the Three network on April 22 meant some customer’s SMS messages went to random recipients and have been read by the wrong person, but the UK network won't be contacting customers affected by the issue.

A Three spokesperson told TechRadar, “We’re aware that some customers have reported receiving misdirected texts or texts from unknown numbers. We are investigating these incidences [sic] but if any customer is concerned about this they should contact Three customer services.”

That means any customer will need to contact Three directly to know if messages went to the wrong places.

TechRadar asked Three direction what the network will be able to do for customers affected and were told: “If customers have any concerns about misdirected messages they should contact customer services who will address each situation on a case-by-case basis.”

However, customers are now complaining that the outage has caused confidential accounts to be compromised, and now the Information Commissioner's Office has confirmed to Ars Technica that it will be 'making enquiries' into the incident.

It's not clear if there will be compensation for your messages going to the wrong people, but it may happen if you use the customer service line.

TechRadar also asked for a gurantee this wouldn’t happen again on the network, but Three did not provide one.

No guarantee

It’s thought the problems came from a technical network issue rather than any other external factors, so whether Three will be able to stop this happening in the future is currently unclear. 

Customers who sent messages may not know if they reached a wrong number as Three isn't actively telling those affected, while those who received strange messages have been told by Three "to ignore all text messages that you deem incorrect."

If you think you’ve sent personal or confidential data from your Three phone and want to know if your message was received by the right person, you should contact Three’s customer services at 333 from your Three phone or 0333 338 1001 from another device.

Drawers around the world are full of old, out of date and unloved mobile phones that people have forgotten to – or can’t be bothered to – sell or pass on. But one UK network wants to give these phones a new lease of life.

Three is encouraging people to rid themselves of idle phones, but instead of selling them on for a small profit, it’s asking them to donate them to people who desperately need access to a phone and the internet.

Mobile recycling company CompareMyMobile found that in the UK there were £13 billion worth of phones lingering in people’s homes at the start of 2016.

The new Three scheme, called Reconnected, takes these devices and gives them to people struggling with their finances, or who have experienced some kind of trauma in their lives, and provides them with free access to the Three network for 90 days to help them get back on their feet.

Helping out

The scheme, which is limited to the UK right now, donates phones to homeless people, domestic abuse victims and many other groups who don’t necessarily have easy access to the internet or a phone line.

Celina Benedict, Responsible Business Manager at Three, told TechRadar: “We think we’ve come up with a smart idea to get handsets into the hands of people who could really make the most of them.

 “That’s either to help them get jobs, reconnect with family or even just enjoy using a mobile, which we sometimes take for granted.”

The internet has become an indispensable tool that, as Benedict points out, many of us take for granted. In June 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Council even declared internet access to be a human right.

If you donate your phone to the Reconnected scheme, Three will ensure the phone isn’t broken, update it to the latest software, make sure it can access the internet and pair it with the relevant accessories, such as a charger and microUSB cable.

The new user will then be given 12GB of data, 300 minutes and 3,000 texts to use each month for three months, while the phone is theirs to keep. If the person wants to continue using it after that period they’ll have to pay for network access though.

Not every recipient will be able to afford to maintain the network access, but Three’s thinking is the 90 days should give them enough time to reconnect with services and people they need to help them turn things around, such as a Job Center, or family members in another part of the country.

Benedict adds: “We couldn’t not give data, we live on data – it’s one of the most important aspects. The idea was to give them more than they needed, but give them a cap so they could see what real usage is like and set them on the right path for later.”

People in need won’t be able to apply for this scheme directly though. Three is partnering with a number of different organisations to find people who can benefit from Reconnected.

Benedict says: “What they all have in common is they don’t have access to the internet, they don’t have a smartphone. The scheme is to help them get back on track and overcome issues.

“It may be they’re at risk of homelessness or need to get employment, or even just better digital skills. They’re all just trying to improve their lives, but they’re missing this one valuable tool that most of us have and can’t even imagine living without.

Not everyone is in a situation to recharge a device, however. For example, homeless people without access to electricity won’t benefit from this scheme.

“Often people in the scheme are at risk of homelessness, so they’re staying in shelters or in provided accommodation so charging is possible there,” adds Benedict “It’s more about giving them the kit and getting them started really.”

There’s also a concern that a donated phone could be sold on by the person who receives it – and Three hasn’t put a process in place for addressing this problem yet.

“We have to rely on the community groups we’re working with,” says Benedict. “We have to trust them to understand the individuals they’re supporting, and for them to decide the individuals who would make the most of the experience and will be able to carry on using a device afterwards.”

Three ran an internal pilot for the Reconnected scheme last year, encouraging its employees to donate their old phones. It received over 1,500 handsets and managed to donate 99 to people in need.

The hope is that, by opening the scheme to the public, Reconnected will receive newer phones. More modern devices will enable the scheme to be more effective, but Three will take any phone, even if it can’t connect to the internet.

If your phone isn’t suitable for the scheme, Three will recycle the parts instead of giving it away – and that means you can clear your drawers no matter how old or damaged your phone is.

Like to take part in the scheme? You can donate your phone at any Three store around the country right now – hopefully your unloved old, handset will be good enough to make a real difference to someone less fortunate.

• Your old smartphone could help save the Amazon rainforest

(Note that this feature was penned before Hutchinson Whampoa, Three UK's parent company, officially sealed the acquisition of O2 from Telefonica, and as such Lynda Burton did not and could not answer questions relating to the details of the transaction).

Three UK has been a success story as far as the consumer market is concerned. Its unique selling points like unlimited 4G data on most monthly contracts, the inclusion of handset tethering and the ability to roam your entire bundle across 16 countries globally for free have made it a particularly enticing option for data hungry smartphone users.

But its B2B business has had a far more chequered journey. The company shut down its business channel three years ago and back then its B2B customer base was estimated to be only around 0.5% of the overall business.

Back on B2B form

Lynda Burton, Director of Wholesale at Three UK, is adamant that the future is bright for the company in the B2B market despite the past setbacks.

"Three as a business has chosen to focus on the consumer market, whilst the wholesale division has been tasked with serving other segments."

It now focuses on small office and home office customers (up to four connections) as well as big data-only customers. The company prides itself on being the mobile network that carries the most data – according to Enders Analysis it accounts for 45% of the UK's mobile data traffic with O2's acquisition bringing that to 60%.

Ironically, Vodafone, the biggest B2B mobile phone operator in the country, accounts for less than 10% of mobile traffic, which is a clear sign that businesses, in general, are more interested with voice and texts rather than bytes. Three's decision to give up, for now on that part of the market, may well be a wise decision as O2's purchase may prove to be a masterstroke to tackle that segment.

"We want to be the complement for fixed broadband and backup, be it in CCTV, digital signage or outdoor media," she said. As for the MVNO/MVNE segment, Three has a number of B2C MVNEs including Shebang in the UK and that number is likely to grow especially after the announcement from Dixons Carphone that it has selected Three UK as an MVNO partner.

Speaking of that particular announcement, one of the titbits that got many excited was the clear mention of M2M, which has been identified by Three as a major growth market; the company has already been making inroads with five M2M partners already listed.

Add in public sector, educational, MVNO (mobile virtual network operators), MVNE (mobile virtual network enablers) and B2B, and you get an idea of the difference in strategy of Three compared to the rest of the market – it's all about data, preferably a large amount of it.

MVNOs in particular are appealing as they offer, in Lynda's own words, "incremental margins". Three however wants to settle on fewer long-term partnerships, in other words, they are not in a rush to get partners flying through the doors.

HP DataPass: free data

Burton also mentioned one partnership with MVNE partner GlobeTouch which gives 250MB of data for two years on HP devices purchased. HP DataPass doesn't cost anything extra for the end user and is ready to be used out of the box. The reason why the DataPass works is because, in her own words, it allows the user to "roam at a cost that is understood".

Unbeknown to many, the DataPass service can be used in 11 European countries already. It is available on selected HP tablets but not on its laptops or Chromebooks. But free data for devices has not taken off as many would have expected, with the massive price difference between Wi-Fi-only and 3G-enabled devices being likely to blame.

Mi-Fi remains your most likely option if you want to access 3G/4G from your device now but it is still fiddly and not as seamless as having a ready-to-use solution. But change is underway – "2015 will be a tipping point", my interlocutor said before prophetically adding, "You can't always be an obstacle for change".

There will be a lot of development in 2016, she added, with soft SIM and a more rapid evolution of existing technologies, a trend that will coincide with the adoption of M2M in businesses and wearables as individuals.

Increasing volumes of data

What does the future bode for the industry? Expect large volumes of data transferred at high speed to become the norm in some markets, but not necessarily smart meters which are well served by low-power 2G (where Three is absent).

The conundrum of the 'connected home' will be solved by fixed broadband, not mobile and, speaking about the BT/EE acquisition, she remarked that, "There's no evidence that consumers are asking for quad play," before adding that it will be used to retain existing customers rather than bring in new ones.

Six months after that rumour first emerged, Three has extended its existing partnership with Dixons Carphone to launch a new mobile phone network that will roll out over the next few months.

The new group formed after the merger of DSGi and Carphone Warehouse already uses Three for its mobile broadband services.

Three remains the only major mobile phone operator in UK (and possibly in Europe) to offer unlimited data across its range.

More 'co-opetition' on the horizon

The new service will bring "innovative and highly personalised connectivity options" according to the press release. But it is also likely to make Dixons Carphone existing partners slightly nervous.

Oddly enough, Carphone Warehouse doesn't sell Three but the latter has big plans, with the expected acquisition of Telefonica's O2 likely to make it a big player in a pool of three super-networks (should BT succeed in acquiring EE).

Dixons Carphone's announcement is the second in less than a week of a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) launch. Sky also announced its plans to enter this crowded market last Thursday with a 2016 launch tabled.

The MVNO ecosystem in the UK is a vibrant one with more than 40 players in the market. Other big MVNO players include Tesco Mobile, Virgin Media, Talkmobile and GiffGaff.

According to an FT report, one of the growth areas identified is "smart home appliances" sold in its stores.

• Christmas is coming and BT hopes to get fat by gobbling up EE

If your business has a stack of old computer equipment in an old storage room or closet, you aren't alone. Organizations of all sizes regularly deal with monitors, PCs, printers, and mobile devices that need to be discarded. The problem? There's no easy way to get rid of old equipment.

Businesses face several challenges when removing old equipment, with stiff penalties for errors. Regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and PCI Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS) have put many businesses under fire, forcing them to ensure all data is completely removed from devices before they're sent off to recycling.

Security is only one issue you'll deal with as you seek to get your old equipment out of the way. Here are a few tips that will help you make sure you aren't hit with hefty fines and, even worse, jail time for improper disposition procedures.

Recycling programs

Whether your business is environmentally aware or not, you have about eighty-two million reasons to avoid depositing electronic equipment into landfills. Just last year, Wal-Mart was ordered to pay $82 million for violations of the Clean Water Act after the company was caught dumping hazardous materials down the drain.

While you likely won't face the level of penalties that Wal-Mart paid, there are monetary losses attached to incorrectly dumping electronics. Improper landfill disposal can result in thousands of dollars in fines, depending on the laws in your area. If that equipment can somehow be traced back to you, you may not only be facing penalties, but you may also be required to deal with the general public seeing you as a company that doesn't care about the environment.

Data protection

Another area that can incur hefty fines for businesses is security. When a company deals with consumer data on its servers, it falls under a new level of scrutiny by authorities. For organizations handling health information, HIPAA regulations require that all patient health data remain private at all times. When a piece of equipment is sent off for recycling, if data remains on it and becomes compromised, the original owner of that equipment may be subjected to fines, as well as being required to notify all affected parties of the data being compromised.

When equipment containing credit card data falls into the wrong hands, businesses may face stiff penalties. One of the most recent cases of credit cards being compromised was Miami's Total Bank, where personal information of 72,500 customers may have been accessed by a third party.

Whether through a hacking attempt, an internal employee, or lost/stolen equipment, customer data is constantly at risk. Even one misplaced laptop can cause hundreds of thousands of records to be compromised, requiring the company to notify each customer that a breach has occurred. Many states also have data breach notification laws that require businesses to pay for 12 months of credit monitoring for every customer that might have been impacted.

How to dispose responsibly

Even if a business knows the importance of recycling responsibly, learning how to get rid of old equipment is an additional challenge. The EPA offers a list of places that accept old equipment, with locations varying by the type and brand of device. Best Buy and Staples are also among big box retailers who accept old electronics, with the latter paying customers for their old equipment.

A great option for your replaced electronics is to donate them to a local nonprofit or school. These organizations may be searching for equipment like yours, so it can't hurt to ask around before you sell it or drop it off at a recycling center. No matter how you recycle your equipment, it will likely be sold or given to people who would have otherwise had to purchase new devices, requiring manufacturing processes that impact the environment.

The internet of things (IoT) and the advances its brought to machine-to-machine (M2M) communication continues to be a hot topic in tech circles.

Why's that? Well, not only does IoT represent a burgeoning market segment in itself, it is also promising to radically alter a host of existing sectors as technology in the field advances.

Among those is the mobile market, and to hear more about how IoT and M2M growth will impact the sector, we spoke to Three UK's Head of Business Development, Tom Gardner.

TechRadar Pro: Where do you see M2M and the internet of things going in the next five to 10 years?

Tom Gardner: Whether you call it M2M or the internet of things it will continue to grow at a substantial rate. Experience has taught us all to be wary of some of the hype, but a fundamental change that will accelerate growth is the falling cost of the hardware for connectivity and the appetite for data.

In the consumer world, a business case can be made for almost any device to be connected. Whether that business case be based on market differentiation to deliver a richer customer experience or simply for the manufacturer or retailer to learn more about the way the device is used to support R&D and or to reduce customer support costs as faults can be remotely diagnosed, pre-empted and in some cases remotely resolved.

Wearables and in-vehicle infotainment will experience vast growth thanks to the developments in the smartphones. Just as your router is the hub of your home, your smartphone can be the hub for all your connected devices on the move.

Tablet and laptop manufacturers will look to embedded connectivity to differentiate themselves and form a closer, ongoing relationship with the customer post sale.

In M2M, the big legacy markets such as smart metering and Vehicle telematics will continue to thrive on a volume of connections basis but the interesting markets are those emerging due to the greater accessibility of fast mobile data.

Digital Signage, CCTV and Wi-Fi backhaul/backup are just a handful of markets that have experienced a boom thanks to the near ubiquitous access of fast 3G and 4G data and will continue to do so.

M2M isn't about empty vending machines sending a text anymore, and for a business focussed on data like Three Wholesale that's great news.

TRP: In your opinion, what are the most interesting M2M & IoT opportunities that are yet to be explored?

TG: As device manufacturers, specifically those in the laptop and tablet market, strive to find new ways to compete whilst retaining and or increasing margins, embedded connectivity offers a very innovative solution with near endless possibilities.

Customers want a seamless experience, they just want to get online with as few steps in between as possible. The challenge for device manufacturers is the need to have one embedded SIM that can deliver high speed data in multiple countries but at a competitive local cost.

This enables the manufacturer to embed one SIM at point of manufacture, regardless of where that device may eventually end up around the globe. HP is leading a charge on this market opportunity but it won't be long before others launch their own propositions.

In M2M, remote broadcasting is an interesting market that we've seen emerging. During the Olympics, our 3G network was used to stream broadcasts back to TV centres. With mobile networks only becoming faster, they become a credible and cost effective alternative to satellite broadcasting.

TRP: What about the most interesting existing technologies that are in the market?

TG: The use of 3G and 4G in IoT and M2M is by far the most interesting technology. It can be used to deliver a seamless, superfast connectivity experience in almost any location. Other interesting technologies to keep an eye on are e-SIMs and multi IMSI solutions.

These technologies enable the credentials of a device, usually stored on a SIM card, to be remotely updated or changed to ensure that the device is always using the best mobile network for its technical and commercial needs.

TRP: What are the challenges that you face as an operator in terms of delivering wholesale partnerships?

TG: The market is filled with potential or existing MVNOs looking for a host MNO provider. The challenge is identifying the partners who are geared for long term success and aligned with your wholesale strategy in what is a competitive market.

To determine partnership potential, we like to understand the MVNO prospect's business plan, sustainable market differentiators, distribution approach, desired customer experience and ongoing strategy.

In terms of actual delivery, we have separated our delivery roadmap from Three's retail roadmap so the actual technical delivery of MVNOs is generally smooth.

TRP: What are the best practises for launching an MVNO?

TG: Find a partner with a capable network, an agile approach, a genuine interest in growth and the least chance of channel conflict.

TRP: What are the risks of launching an MVNO?

TG: The risk of launching an MVNO is usually after the initial launch excitement. The MVNO needs to be constantly assessing their performance trends, and have alternative plans ready to go - it's not a 'set and forget' market.

MVNOs can be very rewarding for all parties but making it a success needs long term commitment and investment. MVNOs need to be confident that their MNO partner will remain committed to the partnership, opening up services as technology evolves. A recent example of this is enabling 4G services to MVNOs.

TRP: What considerations must an operator make before making an agreement with an MVNO?

TG: What market is the MVNO targeting and how will they be successful in that market vs the established direct and in-direct competition? How will they distribute their service? What is their forecast? What technical enablers do they require from the MNO in order to deliver the end customer experience?

What other complementary services do they currently offer? Is their brand a good mobile fit? What is their mobile/MVNO experience? How are they funded? What is their long term plan post go live? How will the MVNO contribute to the MNO's goals? There's plenty to think of.

TRP: Is there a danger of the market becoming overcrowded by MVNOs?

TG: The UK market already has around 90 brands offering mobile services under the guise of an MVNO. There are some MVNO vertical markets which are over-crowded such as the low cost international calling market.

Markets such as business and mobile data are two markets that would benefit from new MVNOs who perhaps already have a presence in said market for another service. New innovation means new markets are always opening up – we are excited about partnering to tap into these new markets.

Like any other business you need a clear idea of who your customers are, what they need and the means by which you will reach them. If you have that the road is wide open.

After months of guesswork, the iPhone 5C is official and it's basically an iPhone 5 in plastic coating.

But that won't stop you (or perhaps your kids) wanting one when you see the colourful array of finishes the handset comes in - green! yellow! white! pink! etc.

The good news is that there isn't long to wait: the iPhone 5C release date is September 20 while pre-orders open on September 13. We've had a quiet word with all the networks to find out who's stocking what, but we'll update this page when we get more info on plans and pricing. Let's do this:

• But wait! First decide if the new handset is worth your money with our hands on iPhone 5C review

Optus

Just a couple of days before release, Optus announced customers will be able to buy the iPhone 5C online from 2am on September 20, and that the handset will be running on its new dual-mode 4G Plus network.

While all Optus plans include unlimited SMS and MMS, the 24-month plan tiers include a $35 option that has 200 voice call minutes and 200MB of data, the $50 option has 450 minutes and 500MB of data, and the $60 plan gives you 600 minutes and 1GB of data.

The $80 plan gives you 800 minutes and 2GB of data, while the $100 options gives you unlimited minutes and 3GB of data.

For the 16GB model, the 5C will not cost extra on the higher $80 and $100 plans, but with monthly repayments starting from $22 on the $35 plan, it will push total prices for the other plans up to $57, $63 and $69 per month.

Similarly, the 32GB model won't have any extra charges on the $100 plan tier, but will have a monthly repayment $5 on the $80 plan.

Including monthly repayments for the handset, the lower tiered plans will be pushed up to $62, $69 and $74 per month.

Telstra

Telstra has pre-orders set up for the 5C, available on all four of its Every Day Connect and Business Performance plans.

The 16GB iPhone 5C on Telstra's $60 and $80 plans will have extra and $11 and $2 monthly repayment, respectively. This brings the plans to $71 per month over 24 months for $600 worth of calls and MMS, unlimited SMS and 1GB of data, and $82 per month over 24 months for $800 worth of calls and MMS, unlimited SMS and 1.5GB.

The 16GB 5C on Telstra's $100 plan will come with $0 monthly repayments over 24 months, $900 of calls and MMS, unlimited SMS and 2GB of data. On the $130 plan, the smartphone will again have $0 handset repayments over 24 months with 3GB of data and unlimited calls, SMS and MMS.

The 32GB iPhone 5C will see monthly handset repayments between $18 and $4 with the same inclusions as above, pushing the plan prices to $78, $88, $104 and $134 per month over 24 months.

Vodafone

The big red has also started taking pre-orders, and will have the smartphone come 8am, September 20. Vodafone will be offering the iPhone 5C on all of its plans, starting from $16 monthly repayments on its $30 plan, $12 on the $40 plans, $8 on the $50 plans and $2 on its $60 plan.

You can grab the 5C on either a 12-month or 24-month contract on Vodfone's new Red plans, which comes with unlimited calls, SMS and MMS, and either 1.5GB, 2.5GB or 5GB of data depending on plan level, as well as priority customer care and Roam Like Home.

For a 16GB iPhone 5C, you'll have a $2 monthly repayment on a 24-month $65 Red plan, or $0 per month on a 24-month $80 and $100 Red plan. On a 12-month contract, the 16GB 5C will cost a monthly repayment of $30, $24 and $16, respectively.

A 32GB iPhone 5C will have a $7 monthly repayment on a 12-month $65 Red plan, and $0 per month on a 24-month $80 and $100 Red plan. On a 12-month contract, the 32GB 5C will cost an extra $10 monthly repayment of $40, $34 and $26, respectively.

Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile left it until release day to release its plans for the iPhone 5C, which will be available on each all six.

Virgin's $90 and $140 plans have unlimited calls and SMS, they have 3GB and 6GB apiece. They also include free a return flight to New Zealand, Fiji or Vanuatu. Each of its other plans have unlimited calls from Virgin to Virgin numbers.

Its lowest $30 plan comes with $200 worth of credit for calls and SMS, and 200MB of data, while its $40 plan comes with $450 credit and 1GB of data.

$50 will also get you 1GB of data, but you get pushed to $500 worth of credit, while $60 will get you 1.5GB and $700 credit.

Both 5C models won't cost extra on the two top tier plan. For the 32GB model on the other four lower-tiered plans will have its total monthly pricing pushed to $51, $57, $63 and $69, respectively, including handset repayment.

The 16GB 5C model will have monthly repayments starting from $16 to $4 on the lower-tier plans, pushing total monthly plan prices to $46, $52, $58 and $64, respectively.

Apple

If you're ready to shell out $739 for the 16GB iPhone 5C or $869 for the 32GB model off-contract, you can buy directly from Apple.

• Find out everything there is to know about the iPhone 5C and check out what the TechRadar team makes of it too

It's been a rough couple of years for Vodafone in Australia. After merging with Hutchison's Three network back in 2009, the newly formed VHA network was seemingly unprepared for the impact of smartphones on network capacity, and has struggled to satisfy its customers for years.

In an interview with Alan Kohler from the ABC's Inside Business program, Vodfone Australia boss Bill Morrow admitted the network had dropped the ball, claiming the market got ahead of the Vodafone company.

"I think if you look at the way the market has evolved in Australia - Aussies clearly like their mobile phones. They like smartphones in particular. That drove a different demand under the network and that got ahead of the company and the investment wasn't there at the time but it is now and that's what we're correcting," said Morrow.

The good news for Vodafone customers is that, according to Morrow, they should expect to see an improvement in service over the next 12 months or so, delivered in stages as improvements to 3G and 4G networks are delivered.

LTE incoming

Morrow also answered questions about the Government's plan to auction off the analogue television spectrum next year. Interestingly, he doesn't feel that Vodafone needs to buy the spectrum to remain competitive.

"1800 megahertz is the one that I'm most excited about. We have 30 megahertz of spectrum and that is perfect for LTE as we go forward into the 4G bands. It is available to us right now. We don't have really any traffic on it and it is something we can take advantage of," Morrow said.

"So if I look at that and look at the high costs that I'm going to have to pay for the new spectrum auction in front of us, the economics are kind of hard to justify spending any large amount of money on spectrum."

This spectrum is thanks to the Vodafone merger with Three, which used the 1800MHz frequency for 3G.

Via: Inside Business

Ofcom may have given the green light to Everything Everywhere's 4G plans for the UK, but a lot of people think the technology is unnecessary.

In a study of 3,000 US consumers, nearly half say they don't need 4G LTE. Though considering more than a quarter of all respondents think all 4G technologies are the same, maybe it's worth taking these results with a pinch of salt.

Piper Jaffray carried out the study. Its analyst Christopher M. Larsen published the paper.

The study found 47 per cent of respondents said they didn't need 4G LTE, while 26 per cent thought all 4G technologies were the same. Only 15 per cent said they thought 4G LTE was the best 4G wireless technology.

The study also found that consumers aren't fussed about which operator has the best 4G LTE network.

4G in the UK

Ofcom recently said it was ok for Everything Everywhere to roll out its 4G network in the UK, much to the annoyance of the other networks. O2, Vodafone and Three will have to wait until the spectrum auction at the end of the year before they can deploy their own 4G networks.

Apple's latest iPad is equipped for 4G in certain markets, though not the UK or Australia, despite the company's marketing blurb. It was subsequently forced to stop labelling it as '4G' everywhere in the world.

The iPhone 5 is expected to be announced on September 12, with many thinking it could be 4G-enabled as well.

Via Apple Insider

Three has reached an agreement with Everything Everywhere over the purchase of 1800MHz spectrum, following Ofcom's controversial decision that it would allow EE to re-allocate the 1800 MHz spectrum to 4G.

The news means the UK's numerical network can now begin deploying its own 4G network ahead of the spectrum auction in 2013 subject to clearance.

"As part of the commitments given when the European Commission approved the merger of Orange and T-Mobile in the UK in March 2010, Everything Everywhere was required to divest 2x15MHz of its 1800MHz spectrum" said an Everything Everywhere spokesperson in a statement sent to TechRadar.

We do what we do

"In accordance with these commitments, Everything Everywhere has today announced an agreement with Three [to transfer the spectrum]. Ofcom and the European Commission will review whether the divestment satisfies the merger commitments and a response is expected within the next three months."

It's unclear how much the transaction was for, but it's likely to be far less than the £450m figure mooted earlier today, as the amount the spectrum sells for will have a bearing on how much other frequencies cost during the upcoming auction.

A section of spectrum in the auction was supposed to be reserved for a smaller company, which was previously set to be Three, but now the 1800MHz section has been sold off it's likely that position will change.

In it for the long haul

Three has yet to comment on when it will deploy its 4G network, but did say the move was designed to signal its strength in the mobile internet arena, according to CEO Dave Dyson:

"Acquiring this spectrum will more than double the capacity available to customers on our network. We have seen a huge growth in data consumption with average customer usage now more than 1.GB per month" said a statement to TechRadar.

"New spectrum, supported by further committed technology spend, is a clear signal that we are committed to maintain our lead as the network built for the internet."

The news comes on a busy day for network news, with Ofcom's judgement being met with anger by other networks and Everything Everywhere confirming it would be creating a new third brand by the end of the year and denying it was scrapping Orange and T-Mobile.

Everything Everywhere has inevitably welcomed Ofcom's controversial decision to allow the network to use its 1800 MHz spectrum for 4G.

Everything Everywhere, the amalgamation of Orange and T-Mobile, has essentially been given a headstart in the race for 4G, the next generation of mobile internet.

"Ofcom's decision to make 4G available this year is great news for the UK," said an Everything Everywhere spokesperson.

"Consumers will soon be able to benefit from the much greater mobile speeds that 4G will deliver.

"4G will drive investment, employment and innovation and we look forward to making it available later this year, delivering superfast mobile broadband to the UK."

Reallocation

The company has been given the green light to reallocate part of the spectrum that it owns the licence for, something that the other networks cannot do.

That has led to a huge row, as competitors urged Ofcom not to allow the change, insisting that this would hand the telecoms giant a big advantage until they can buy more spectrum to allow 4G in an auction next year.

Vodafone has already issued an angry reaction to the decision and is likely to be joined in its ire by the other networks aside, of course, from the beneficiaries.

The decision to allow Everything Everywhere to launch 4G services this year has incensed competitors.

Vodafone has been one of the most vociferous opponents of the possible decision to allow early deployment of 4G, and this move has brought some strong words.

"We are frankly shocked that Ofcom has reached this decision. The regulator has shown a careless disregard for the best interests of consumers, businesses and the wider economy through its refusal to properly regard the competitive distortion created by allowing one operator to run services before the ground has been laid for a fully competitive 4G market.

"Ofcom's timing is particularly bizarre given the reports that Everything Everywhere is currently in discussions to sell some of its spectrum to 3, which Ofcom has previously been at such pains to protect with its over-engineering of the 4G auction. This means the balance in the auction will fundamentally change."

It's not fair!

"The regulator has spent several years refusing to carry out a fair and open auction. Now its decision today has granted the two most vociferous complainants during that entire process a massive incentive to further delay it."

Vodafone and O2 have long been campaigning to get the 4G spectrum auction up and running, which is something the red network is now trumpeting. However, the decision to delay the auction (which will allow all networks to start deploying superfast data speeds) is the result of constant appeals from all mobile operators, meaning the blame shouldn't lay totally at Ofcom's door.

"We firmly believe that a fully competitive market for 4G services is in the best interests of Britain. We have already committed ourselves to reach 98% of the UK population with indoor 4G services by 2015 – two years before Ofcom's own target – but we need to acquire spectrum in the auction to achieve this. Ironically, all that stands in our way right now is the regulator."

Ofcom has approved Orange and T-Mobile to deploy superfast mobile date ahead of its rivals.

The decision means the two networks, operating under the shared banner of Everything Everywhere, will be able to deploy 4G data networks as of September 11 this year.

However, as Ofcom notes, the exact rollout will depend entirely on Everything Everywhere's commercial strategy, which the network tells TechRadar will be begin on a smaller scale (for devices such as dongles) by the end of 2012.

The move will allow speeds to increase fivefold over current 3G conditions and allow on the go data not only for laptops, tablets and phones but will also enable items like cars to benefit from data connectivity too.

The likelihood is that the opportunity to use 4G services on your phone in the UK won't be available until early 2013 as the network ramps up the deployment of the service, so those that buy the new iPhone 5 later this year won't be able to use its 4G capabilities until a few months into the contract.

Three and easy

The news comes at the same time as reports that 3 is in talks with Everything Everywhere to purchase some of its 1800MHz spectrum, which would see it given a much bigger advantage in the forthcoming 4G spectrum auction.

The Telegraph is stating that the networks are in advanced negotiations to sell of a chunk of the spectrum for up to £450m, although Everything Everywhere believes this figure may be a little high.

The Orange and T-Mobile merger was only allowed to go ahead on the condition it gave up a portion of its spectrum ahead of the auction, and these talks are likely to be part of that deal.

They won't like this

The move will anger the other UK networks, which maintain such a decision will allow Everything Everywhere a competitive advantage during the period when it's the only operator to serve 4G to the nation while the auction to divide up the rest of the 4G spectrum is ongoing.

However, Ofcom states: "We consider on the evidence available that any such advantage is unlikely to result in an enduring advantage which distorts competition to the detriment of consumers."

TechRadar is contacting all the other network operators in the UK for a response, but this certainly isn't the last we'll be hearing of this landmark decision.

A £150m plan to boost mobile signal in rural areas is in jeopardy after network Three UK cooled on the idea.

The Guardian reports that Three has declined to put its equipment on masts paid for by the George Osbourne backed-plan, which aims to boost signal in parts of the UK where there's little or no coverage.

Three believes that it won't have enough of the the all-important mobile spectrum in order to deliver good coverage.

The company says if its equipment was placed on the masts, the signal would work indoors, but wouldn't travel as far as the other networks'.

Only reaching 60,000 homes

Three has has now delayed a decision about its participation until after the 4G spectrum auction, which isn't expected until next year.

The government had hoped to give out the contracts to build the masts next month.

Osbourne's plan is also under-threat as it'll only reach a fraction of the 6 million people it had hoped to help.

The new masts will only reach 60,000 households, while there are 900,000 households in the UK that don't have full coverage from all four of the major UK networks - O2, Vodafone, Everything Everywhere (T-Mobile and Orange) and Three.

Via: Guardian

Size matters. Big is beautiful. No matter how you put it, having a lot of something is better than having not very much. The guys at the numerically minded network seem to agree in their offering of The One Plan.

Despite sounding very much like a cheesy boy band or Saturday night TV show, it provides all-you-can-eat tether-able data (try saying that three times fast), 5000 texts and 2000 any network minutes, on top of 5000 Three-to-Three minutes.

It seems a bonus to have tethering on contracts, although it is becoming more common place. Still, it's something we're glad is bundled, and hope that it becomes more common place.

Given the network's 3G origins, having other internet-based plans is almost mandatory, and calling yourself Three suggests maybe there should be another two. This is where the Essential and the Ultimate plans introduce themselves.

The Essential Internet Plan provides 250MB capped data and usage alerts: another feature that is highly useful for both parents paying for teen phone plans, and those on a budget.

The Ultimate plan brings along all-you-can-eat data meaning that those who like to upload, download and sideload can breathe easier, though it must be pointed out that this isn't available to tether.

• See the best Three phone deals from the TechRadar Phone Store

So there's One Plan, One phone, but which one? Here's our guide to the best handsets.

Samsung Galaxy S3

Replacing a phone that could be on this list, the Galaxy S2, comes Samsung's latest flagship Galaxy phone.

We can't speak highly enough of the Galaxy S3, as it brings a superb Super AMOLED HD screen, NFC, 8mp Full HD recording camera and a "blazingly-fast" 1.4ghz quad core processor. Unsurprisingly, it comes with Ice Cream Sandwich, but Jelly Bean is looking very likely.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S3 review

HTC One X

The HTC One X has bounded onto the scene, and with its HD screen, NFC capabilities and quad-core processor it really is one of the top phones of the moment.

It's running the latest version of Android in the shape of Ice Cream Sandwich, plus one of the best cameras on the market - capable of shooting 99 photos in a row and taking snaps while recording in 1080p HD. In short, one of the best phones around right now.

Read our full HTC One X review

Apple iPhone 4S

So it wasn't called the iPhone 5, but Apple shows with its fifth iteration that is sures know how to make a phone. With Apple's own dual-core processing chip underneath and the more-than-superb Retina display, there is plenty of grunt to really show off any of the vast array of apps (we like Temple Run, of course) that the App Store has to offer.

Read our full iPhone 4S Review

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The latest in the line of Nexus branded handsets, comes Samsung's second offering. It heralded the coming of the latest Android iteration, in this case 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, and now Jelly Bean too.

The market has caught it up and passed it in some cases, but a truly superb 5MP camera, NFC, and the pure Android experience on a sharp screen still make a great case.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Nexus review

HTC Sensation XE

Just looking at the XE you can tell there's going to be something nice going on inside. Wrapped in a smart red and black chassis is a 1.5GHz processor, used to power HTC's customary Sense UI overlaying Android's latest iteration, Ice Cream Sandwich.

On top of that you'll even find the newly proprietary Beats Audio Technology to take your music up a notch.

Read our full HTC Sensation XE review

Will the 4G auction announcement raise the ire of the UK's mobile networks? TechRadar has been in contact to find out.

We've had a word with all the networks who will be affected by the Ofcom ruling today (that's O2, Vodafone, Three, Orange and T-Mobile, with the last two represented under the Everything Everywhere umbrella).

The unofficial word from most sources is that the documents published are so long and in-depth that it's going to take a while before any stance is set by the operators, but we've collected a few statements that show Ofcom's announcement is at least cause for quiet optimism the UK will finally see 4G networks in 2013:

"Ofcom's detailed rules for the auction represent a significant step towards 4G launch in the UK. Whilst Ofcom has taken a number of our suggestions on board, they are combined with other changes to the previous proposals," said an O2 spokesperson.

"We will need to study the package in detail before responding to the Notice on the Regulations, which puts the rules into law."

Three and Vodafone

"Ofcom's decision on the structure of the spectrum auction will have a lasting effect on the choice of services and value available to mobile consumers," added a spokesperson from Three, rather numerically.

"We are working through the detail of this very substantial document to evaluate what it means for both consumers and competition in the UK mobile market."

"A competitive market for the next generation of mobile internet services will bring substantial benefits to British consumers, businesses and the wider economy," parped Vodafone, perhaps twiddling a cigar or pipe.

"Ofcom appears to have created a mechanism to deliver the spectrum needed to run competitive 4G services and we welcome the work it has done.

"We also support the regulator's desire to see 4G services delivered to as many people as possible. However, we will obviously need to study today's lengthy documents to make sure they deliver the fair and open auction that this country needs."

So the upshot is: there's loads to read, we're going to read it, check back to hear more in the next few hours.

The days of pure fear when you switch on your mobile abroad are set to end, with Three's new plan for holiday-goers in Europe.

Under the new scheme Three is offering you the chance to get your hands on emails, Facebook updates and more (so, all the things you're supposed to escape from) across Europe all for £5 per day.

While tethering isn't included in the price, neither is a limit on the amount of data you can use… if only BBC iPlayer was available for free internationally, right?

No up-front

The only slightly sad thing is the fact you have activate the Euro Pass each day, instead of being able to plough £80-odd into your account ahead of the trip to get access to unlimited data for the whole excursion.

The offer is also only extended to those on monthly contracts, so the PAYG brigade is set to miss out - so, sorry to all of you trying to beat the recession and manage your cash.

It's a wise idea to check to make sure your destination is covered before travelling, which you can do at the dedicated Euro Pass page.

Otherwise, stream away – and wait for the inevitable ire from your other half telling you off: 'You never put that damn phone down. We're supposed to be on holiday!'

Three, have launched their low-cost value MiFi solution the Huawei E5331 for a one-off upfront cost of £29.99 on a one-month rolling contract with 5Gb of data a month for £15.99 per month, or at £49.99 on Pay As You Go with 1GB of data.

As we reported last month the new Huawei E5331 Value MiFi will allow businesses to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, including tablets, laptops, to the internet and would make the ideal connection device for start up business or as a backup internet device for a small business.

The value MiFi is described as "simple to use" and has just one button to switch on the device, with a basic LED screen displaying key information including signal strength and battery life.

The new device has the same functionality as the award-winning Huawei E586 and key features include:

• Up to 21.1 Mbps technical standard Download (HSPA+)
• Up to 5.76 Mbps technical standard Uplink (HSUPA)
• 4.5 hours battery life

We would give you a link to the device but as yet Three haven't put it on their web site yet.

Ofcom has announced that it will delay its decision over whether to grant Everything Everywhere early permission to start providing a 4G network in the UK.

Back in February we reported that Everything Everywhere, a joint venture between UK mobile networks T-Mobile and Orange, was planning to launch its UK 4G network ahead of the other operators at the end of this year, after putting a proposal forward to Ofcom.

Unsurprisingly the competition was not best pleased, with Vodafone and then O2 both publicly kicking up a fuss. This was followed by David Dyson, CEO of Three, voicing his concerns about the plans at the Future of Mobile Westminster eForum earlier this week.

"Irrational, questionable and unnecessary"

Speaking at the eForum Dyson said: "Speaking as a consumer, my clear request to Ofcom is for them to reconsider their technical analysis and position on low frequency spectrum, and re-conclude on a solution that more closely follows every other regulator in Europe.

"In my opinion as the CEO of a mobile operator, a conclusion to the contrary would be irrational, questionable and unnecessarily risks future competition in the UK mobile market."

Ofcom was due to make its decision on the matter on April 17, but it has now pushed this date back to May 8 after stakeholders requested more time to respond.

It's still unclear whether we'll see 4G before the end of 2012 in the UK, or if we will have to wait until 2013 for the super fast network to hit our shores.

From Ofcom

O2 has responded grumpily to Ofcom's proposal to allow Everything Everywhere to offer the first 4G network in the UK ahead of all other carriers.

Earlier this week Vodafone complained about the unfair advantage which Ofcom had provided for Everything Everywhere and O2 looks to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

Ofcom had set a deadline of yesterday (March 22) for networks to respond regarding its 4G proposals and both O2 and Vodafone have publicly voiced their opinions.

Three has not revealed where it stands in this debacle, but told TechRadar earlier this week it's "making its case and finalising its response to Ofcom ahead of the March 22 deadline".

Contradictory to delivering a competitive market

In its statement to Ofcom, O2 highlights that it is all for the proposed 4G spectrum auction, but notes; "We are concerned that Ofcom's other proposal to allow one operator to launch 4G early on its existing spectrum is contradictory to its objective of delivering a competitive market environment with four competing players."

Obviously O2, Three and Vodafone won't be best pleased if rivals Orange and T-Mobile are allowed to launch a 4G network ahead of them, especially as Ofcom has said all along that it wants to retain a competitive market.

Everything Everywhere has said that Ofcom needs to make the upcoming 4G auction a fairer and simpler system, calling for the rules to be reviewed.

"The auction proposals are too complicated and create a risk of producing outcomes that do not serve consumer interests. We would like to see the auction rules address the uneven distribution of the high quality low-frequency spectrum and simplified to ensure they can be effectively implemented."

From O2 via Gizmodo and Mobile Today

Vodafone isn't happy with Ofcom's decision to allow Everything Everywhere to launch its 4G services before the end of this year.

The UK is lagging behind other countries, such as the US and Canada, when it comes to the super-fast 4G mobile network and British carriers are keen to capitalise on the new technology as soon as Ofcom gives them the green light.

Ofcom has accepted Everything Everywhere's (a joint venture between Orange and T-Mobile) proposal to roll out its 4G network ahead of other UK operators later this year.

"Taking leave of its senses"

In an interview with the Sunday Times Vodafone's UK chief, Guy Laurence, said that Ofcom was "taking leave of its senses" allowing the Everything Everywhere deal to go through, thus giving Orange and T-Mobile an unfair "headstart on the next generation of mobile internet services."

A 4G network would see mobile broadband speeds rocket to a staggering (theoretical) 120Mbps and its arrival will open up a raft of 4G capable phones and tablets currently not available here in the UK.

Vodafone (or any other network with a bee in its bonnet) has until Thursday to make a formal complaint to Ofcom regarding its handling of the UK 4G network.

TechRadar has contacted O2 and Three and is waiting to hear back on their thoughts on this ruling.

Update: TechRadar spoke to Guy Middleton, Head of Corporate Communications at Three who confirmed the network was "making its case and finalising its response to Ofcom ahead of the March 22 deadline".

Update: An Everything Everywhere spokesperson has told TechRadar: "It is our aspiration to bring 4G to the UK as soon as possible, enabling the people and businesses of Britain to benefit from the fastest mobile data speeds, and to allow the country to catch up with Europe and the rest of the world. As the Prime Minister noted this morning, the USA already has 4G capacity in place and our major European competitors are ahead of us in setting up their own 4G networks."

"The EU has already mandated the updating of all spectrum licences across Europe, and consequently Ofcom is now carrying out its duty to make this happen quickly for British consumers and businesses. We fully support this."

From Sunday Times via MarketWatch

UK mobile network Three has announced its new Essential Internet tariff which guarantees customers an "absolutely zero chance of out-of-bundle data charges".

Three has billed itself as "built for the mobile internet" and the latest data plan aims to encourage occasional users to get online with their mobiles, without the fear of running up huge bills at the end of each month.

Starting at £15 per month (with 100 mins, 5000 texts and a free Samsung Galaxy Ace) the Essential Internet plan offers customers 250MB of data and will notify the user if they reach the limit within the month. If the limit is reached Three will cut off data to the handset until the next month, when you will start again with 250MB.

But is it really worth it?

Customers on the Essential Internet plan will be able to buy another 250MB of data for £2, or unlimited data for £5 – both of which will last for 30 days if they hit their limit and require more data.

However, Three has also announced the Ultimate Internet plan which offers customers all-you-can-eat data from £18 per month (100 mins, 5000 texts, Samsung Galaxy Ace) – just £3 more a month than the Essential plan.

This begs the question why would anyone bother with the Essential plan, when you can get unlimited internet for the length of your contract on the Ultimate plan, for that extra £3 a month?

It feels like Three has created a new tariff which it doesn't need and which doesn't provide customers with anything particularly useful. Let us know your thoughts on the new tariffs in the comment box below.

UK mobile network Three has made a dramatic u-turn on a blog it posted on Wednesday saying that it was finalising plans to bring 4G to the UK.

The super quick 4G LTE technology has been rolled out in countries around the world including the USA and Korea, but the UK is dragging its feet when it comes to sorting it out its mobile network.

Three has gone from hero to zero in a matter of days after the initial excitement among customers over the promise of 4G quickly turned to disappointment when the carrier confirmed that it was actually just updating its 3G network this summer.

Every cloud has a silver lining

It's not all bad news though as Three's 3G upgrade will see speeds doubled to 42Mbps, thanks to the latest HSPA+ technology.

Three also confirmed that it is still working towards a LTE network and hopes that it will be the first company to offer 4G LTE internet in the UK.

The 4G network would see mobile broadband speeds rocket to a staggering 120Mbps and its arrival will open up a raft of LTE phones and tablets currently not available here in Britain.

There's still a chance that the T-Mobile and Orange partnership known as Everything Everywhere could launch its own 4G LTE network by the end of 2012, pending approval from Ofcom.

From Pocket Lint

UK mobile network Three is offering 'broadband in a box' which does away with line rental charges and offers easy set up.

Currently most people pay a fixed line-rental charge which allows broadband to be delivered down their telephone line. Exceptions such as Virgin Media pumping the web via fibre optics into your crib, bypassing the ugly line-rental issue.

Three has chosen Glasgow, Edinburgh and Leeds to pilot their alternative broadband option the "Web Cube" – which uses a HSPA+ enabled mobile broadband SIM card to bring the internet into homes, thus bypassing any fixed lines and related charges.

• Broadband deals: see the best prices around

The Internet³

The "Web Cube" is targeted at renters who frequently move house, students and people with a second home – although it will appeal to anyone who doesn't want the hassle or commitment of a fixed-line contract.

The cube acts as a standard wireless router with a 30 meter range and allows users to connect up to 5 devices at a time. Three claim it will be able to deliver typical download speeds of 2-5Mbps and has the potential to offer speeds of up to 10Mbps. Not amazing speeds but enough to get by.

What will attract consumers are the simple 'plug and play' interface and the offer of a rolling one-month contract at £15 per month. This includes 10GB of data a month and is ideal for users unwilling to commit to a long term contract, especially if they will be moving shortly. Bear in mind though you'll have to fork out £59.99 for the cube too.

There is a 24-month contract on offer which includes a free 'Web Cube' and 15GB of data for those who need a bit more each month and are staying put in the short term at least.

If the trial period goes well and Three rolls it out nationwide it could be a great option for people in rural locations unable to get traditional broadband, but with adequate mobile phone signal.

'Unlimited data, yeah right' you scoff. But no, seriously, that is exactly what T-Mobile is offering. No cap or usage restrictions, just as much as you can munch your way through for the paltry sum of £36 each month.

This is going to signal a big change in the mobile phone market, as other networks are not going to have any choice but to follow suit to avoid losing market share. If you do the sums, there is only one answer. Consumer = Win.

Lets be honest, we're using our phones more and more to surf the web, poke our mates, tweet abuse at FIFA's dignitaries and stream How I Met Your Mother in HD while on the train to work.

That is a lot of data if you're not in a Wi-Fi friendly environment and you can quickly see your monthly allowance dwindle and wake up at month end to the mother of all phone bills.

The future's here

Unlimited data: it's what we've been waiting for. T-Mobile has finally delivered our wet dream and quite frankly O2, Vodafone and co. need to jump on the bandwagon sharp-ish. It is the future and it will run our lives.

Three has been offering a similar deal recently, but with the grunt of two networks behind this idea it really shows the rest of the networks are lagging.

I'm already considering switching sides, as my bundled 1GB of data is quite simply pathetic in comparison – plus I'm paying the same amount a month. Rip. Off.

Porn and LOL cats

People may raise the point that if everyone gets unlimited data then the networks will grind to a halt under the deluge of porn and LOL cats – but let's be honest, it won't. Yep it's that easy to say, so calm your nerves.

The mobile networks will be venturing into 4G in the coming years and it will hopefully open up a whole new level of awesomeness, allowing us to be dead chuffed that we have unlimited data at our fingertips. It will carry the burden of our data-hungry needs without breaking a sweat and life will pass effortlessly before us.

T-Mobile has confirmed its commitment to the 4G, with Regan Whitehead, Senior Proposition Manager saying T-Mobile is "investing £1.5 billion over the next 3 years in our network" and "committed to making sure that position of best network in the UK (for 3G coverage) and provide a great experience for customers whether that's on Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G in the future".

Feeling hot hot hot-spot

Add into the mix deals mobile operators are making with companies such as BT Openzone to offer mobile phone users free access to Wi-Fi hotspots across the country and fewer people will actually be using the network for data heavy activities. This will free the network for those who are out of Wi-Fi zones and need the data signal.

The combination of T-Mobile's unlimited data and commitment to 4G will aid the Last Mile problem, which aims to bring internet to remote locations in the UK where broadband is unavailable. Good news all round then!

Oh yes, this is the future, it is fool-proof and nothing can stop it. Unlimited data, you are our everything and you shall rule our lives.

But wait, what's this? "Low Battery - excessive data usage" – ah crap…