14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone users in the UK might soon be able to benefit from blazing fast data connectivity on the airwaves of wireless carriers Orange and T-Mobile UK. The two companies, both part of the larger Everything Everywhere, will start trialing 4G LTE over 1800MHz in Bristol this April.
The new trial complements the live customer trial of 4G technology that Everything Everywhere started on the 800MHz spectrum in rural Cornwall in September last year, which was recently extended to July 2012.
“The trial will provide Everything Everywhere with key learnings on the performance of 4G LTE over its existing 1800Mhz spectrum in both urban and suburban environments,” the carrier announced.
“The Cornwall trial has demonstrated that 800 MHz is optimal for the roll out of 4G LTE in rural areas.”
The wireless carrier is also working on the deployment of 3.5G HSPA+ 21, which should translate into faster speeds and improved network performance for the users of both Orange and T-Mobile.
HSPA+ 21, or 3.5G, has already been deployed on 60 percent of the wireless carrier’s 3G network. The roll-out is expected to be completed in Q3 2012.
This roll-out is the latest milestone in the company’s network evolution project and is expected to increase speeds by up to 50 percent for all mobile broadband customers.
Everything Everywhere has already committed to delivering a world class network for all end-users and businesses in the UK, and these steps are meant to bring it closer to its goal.
“Everything Everywhere’s vision is to launch 4G for Britain as soon as possible, and the roll out of 3.5G HSPA+ and our 4G trials across Britain are major steps towards delivering on that promise,” Olaf Swantee, CEO at Everything Everywhere, said.
“The integration of the Orange and T-Mobile networks has already given our customers the widest 3G coverage in the UK – and I am pleased to say that with our advanced HSPA+ roll out they will also benefit from the fastest.”