Everything Everywhere is the largest communications company in the UK and it provides services to consumers via the Orange and T Mobile networks. Back in March of this year, the company submitted a much debated proposal to the Telecoms regulator Ofcom with regards to 4G LTE technology.

4G LTE

The proposal sparked controversy because within it Everything Everywhere had sought permission to launch its UK 4G LTE service ahead of its competitors. Many companies have subsequently expressed their concerns about the premature release of the technology by a single organisation. The 4G LTE networks are particularly sought after because they offer an improved user experience with faster data and video download times.

Everything Everywhere has sparked increasing controversy by claiming that the company should be permitted to use the remainder of its 1800MHz licence for LTE and WiMAX technologies immediately, mainly due to the perceived benefits it would bring to consumers and citizens alike. Many competitors of Everything Everywhere have expressed concern that the company should not be allowed special privileges by releasing their technology first, ahead of everyone else. The dispute has rumbled on with some other leading UK technology brands stating that allowing Everything Everywhere to release the 4G LTE service early would seriously destabilize competition in the UK mobile technology industry.

Surplus Spectrum For 4G LTE

Due to the vast amount of spectrum Everything Everywhere currently possesses, it has a significant quantity leftover. This reuse of the surplus part of Everything Everywhere’s 1800MHz spectrum which will allow them to offer 4G LTE will allow the devices to support super fast broadband. Competitors of Everything Everywhere do not have extra spectrum to reuse for this purpose and so have to wait until the spectrum auctions which will occur later in the year.

What some opponents of the early release have stated is that 4G devices available in Britain currently or those which are manufactured in the near future will operate properly of the launch of 4G LTE is allowed to go ahead early because the frequencies have not been attuned. Furthermore, Everything Everywhere is currently working with manufactures of 4G devices to create antennas which will support this new, improved frequency.

Mobile Device Manaufacturers Show Concern

Changes in mobile technology have been instigated because of government proposals to implement super fast broadband across the country by 2015. This has led to the increased anticipation for new technologies, particularly 4G which is expected to vastly improve mobile communications for those who are looking for seamless mobile technology. It is not just the competitors of Everything Everywhere who are troubled about the early release. Manufacturers of technological devices which support this new 4G technology have also expressed their concern over the early release of the 4G by Everything Everywhere because many of the devices available at the moment are not equipped to deal with the new advances.

Ofcom have carefully looked at this proposal and are attempting to delay things by extending the deadline in order to respond to competitor questions and concerns. This is further causing concern amongst both competitors of Everything Everywhere and the manufacturers themselves, and will continue to do so least until a final decision on the launch is reached.


Like this post? Please share with your friends and colleagues too..