Three backtracks on UK 4G plans

Three backtracks on UK 4G plans
Here comes 4G... oh wait, its only 3G

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

John McCann
Global Managing Editor

John joined TechRadar over a decade ago as Staff Writer for Phones, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He's interviewed CEOs from some of the world's biggest tech firms, visited their HQs and has appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC and BBC Radio 4. Originally specializing in phones, tablets and wearables, John is now TechRadar's resident automotive expert, reviewing the latest and greatest EVs and PHEVs on the market. John also looks after the day-to-day running of the site.