Vodafone has responded to the report by Everything Everywhere (Orange and T-Mobile), which discusses the impact of 4G LTE networks on the economy. According to the rival network, the figures quoted on the report assume all networks will provide 4G, which they claim is misleading.
The research claims that 125,000 jobs will be created and investments amounting to £5.5 billion would initially pour into the UK.
Vodafone points out that not all networks will be able to provide 4G, since Everything Everywhere currently owns 83% of the spectrum. Rival networks would have no choice but to wait for the 4G spectrum auction, which is scheduled to kick off towards the end of the year.
Vodafone sent Know Your Mobile an email saying, “Everything Everywhere’s [EE] claim that today’s operators can also launch 4G services [subject to a willingness to invest and a variation to their licence] conveniently forgets that EE controls over 83% of all mobile spectrum in the frequency band that Ofcom is considering to vary.
“Other operators are using their more limited spectrum holdings to serve current customers so they cannot clear it as quickly as EE. Therefore, we believe the introduction of 4G should be linked to the availability of suitable amounts of cleared spectrum for other players.”
In other words, Vodafone is contesting Everything Everywhere’s 4G plans, because it claims the biggest network in the UK will be off to an unfair head start.
Vodafone also explains why it has rejected to join Everything Everywhere’s plans of a 4G Britain. It says, “Thank you for your offer [Everything Everywhere] to become involved with 4G Britain but as [Vodafone] have only just been informed of it we’ve not been given the detailed information needed to fully understand the intention behind it.
“Rest assured that Vodafone is very excited by the prospect of bringing 4G services to Britain not least because we have already launched this technology in several other markets. We have made it clear on many occasions that we believe a competitive market for 4G services will bring real benefits to consumers, businesses and the wider British economy.
“We’re already asking the Government and regulator to make sure that everyone can launch this technology as soon as possible. We strongly believe that a competitive market for 4G services – as exists in other European markets – is in the best interests of everyone.”
What do you make of Vodafone’s response to Everything Everywhere’s 4G plans? Do you think Orange and T-Mobile will be off to an unfair head start, or do you just want to experience lightning-fast 4G speeds on device such as the 4G Samsung Galaxy S2 and the new iPad? Give us your thoughts.
