The whole planet is blanketed by cellular coverage now days, and the coverage is especially good in developed nations. British people were among some of the first to have access to 3G networks when these were new nearly a decade ago, but currently are lagging behind the rest of Europe and North America when it comes to 4G mobile UK. There have been various problems pertaining to the roll-out that have slowed things down.
When surveyed, most of UK citizens indicated that they sought 4G coverage, and they required it immediately. Even though it is unclear from the survey whether the people asked were aware of the problems with the technology, 82% supported the urgent creation of greater 4G coverage. The reasons they cited included competing with international businesses and keeping up with the rest of the world.
Most 4G coverage uses the bandwidth at 800 and 2100Mhz. Older technologies like 2G and 3G use different bands. The best combination of speed and distance, together with building penetration of signals, is attained at 800Mhz. The problem with this is that a number of other technologies also use frequencies around this band, for similar reasons.
One likely issue relates to television signal boosters. If a 4G tower goes in close by someone with a television signal booster, the signal could be destabilised and that household could fail to get access to free channels. This could impact between 3 and 10% of the population, which is millions of people. Filters that endeavour to inhibit this can be used, but they are not fully effective.
Paid television could also be affected in certain occurrences. As these are not free services, the companies would expectably adapt and provide the service in some other manner. Nevertheless, the companies that own the rights to offer paid television are displeased with the idea, and have been leading some fierce resistance to the roll-out of 4G in its current form.
One possible option that is being rolled out is to 'auction off' the spectrum that is most desired. This has already been done in certain regions, and some proponents of 4G are blaming its slow roll-out on the failure of these auctions. The slow auctioning procedure has been largely caused by delaying tactics from some of the participants, who are apparently trusting the courts to sort things out.
Trials are underway by a number of large UK mobile suppliers, but they do not use the frequencies that the subject of such heated debate. Certain frequencies are superior at delivering faster speeds than others, and a number of these frequencies cover greater distances and penetrate buildings at differing effectiveness. This has caused intense competition for the 'best' frequencies.
Regrettably, it seems that the UK will need to be patient for a while longer before 4G mobile UK is rolled out. Nevertheless, it is seemingly unlikely that nothing will happen, because the concerns that the UK needs to stay up to date with the rest of the developed world are quite real. Inevitably, a compromise of sorts will be attained, hopefully very soon.
When surveyed, most of UK citizens indicated that they sought 4G coverage, and they required it immediately. Even though it is unclear from the survey whether the people asked were aware of the problems with the technology, 82% supported the urgent creation of greater 4G coverage. The reasons they cited included competing with international businesses and keeping up with the rest of the world.
Most 4G coverage uses the bandwidth at 800 and 2100Mhz. Older technologies like 2G and 3G use different bands. The best combination of speed and distance, together with building penetration of signals, is attained at 800Mhz. The problem with this is that a number of other technologies also use frequencies around this band, for similar reasons.
One likely issue relates to television signal boosters. If a 4G tower goes in close by someone with a television signal booster, the signal could be destabilised and that household could fail to get access to free channels. This could impact between 3 and 10% of the population, which is millions of people. Filters that endeavour to inhibit this can be used, but they are not fully effective.
Paid television could also be affected in certain occurrences. As these are not free services, the companies would expectably adapt and provide the service in some other manner. Nevertheless, the companies that own the rights to offer paid television are displeased with the idea, and have been leading some fierce resistance to the roll-out of 4G in its current form.
One possible option that is being rolled out is to 'auction off' the spectrum that is most desired. This has already been done in certain regions, and some proponents of 4G are blaming its slow roll-out on the failure of these auctions. The slow auctioning procedure has been largely caused by delaying tactics from some of the participants, who are apparently trusting the courts to sort things out.
Trials are underway by a number of large UK mobile suppliers, but they do not use the frequencies that the subject of such heated debate. Certain frequencies are superior at delivering faster speeds than others, and a number of these frequencies cover greater distances and penetrate buildings at differing effectiveness. This has caused intense competition for the 'best' frequencies.
Regrettably, it seems that the UK will need to be patient for a while longer before 4G mobile UK is rolled out. Nevertheless, it is seemingly unlikely that nothing will happen, because the concerns that the UK needs to stay up to date with the rest of the developed world are quite real. Inevitably, a compromise of sorts will be attained, hopefully very soon.
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