VodafoneThree ramps up network integration
Using its‘ Multi-Operator Core Network’ technology, VodafoneThree has already switched on over 600 sites, representing the next stage of the telco’ s £ 11 billion(€ 12.75bn) investment programme.
The company says this means customers’ devices will automatically connect to the best coverage available – whether that’ s on the Vodafone or Three network – effectively giving them access to two networks at no extra cost. This will see customers of VodafoneThree brands experience improved coverage, reliability, and speed when using 4G and 5G.
For business mobile customers, it means smoother day-to-day operations, with connectivity that keeps staff, services and customers connected everywhere they need it. Crucially, customers do not need to do anything to benefit from the new technology but, behind the scenes, VodafoneThree engineers are using a carefully weighted set
Customers’ devices will automatically connect to the best coverage available – whether that’ s on the Vodafone or Three network
of criteria to manage capacity and maximise customer benefits without having an impact on the existing service.
The first stages of the technology are being activated remotely, enabling faster deployment across Vodafone and Three’ s networks. By the end of the first year, VodafoneThree will have brought over 9,000 sites online.
Meanwhile, 7m Three customers are already experiencing an average 20 per cent boost in 4G speeds and 40 per cent in some key towns and cities, thanks to the integration of combined spectrum. Together, these network improvements reflect the rapid pace at which VodafoneThree is transforming connectivity across the UK.
All customers of VodafoneThree brands( Vodafone, Three, SMARTY, VOXI, and Talkmobile) will see benefits within 12 months, including:
Peak period improvements – Busy times, such as rush hour, put a strain on the network, as sites can be flooded with more customers than they can provide a good quality service to. Thanks to this technology, customers will be moved from a busy site to one that is able to provide the required level of performance. It also simultaneously relieves the strain on the busy site, providing a better experience for all customers.
Eliminating 4G not spots – By providing 4G coverage to 16,500km of the UK where it wasn’ t previously available to either brand’ s customers, VodafoneThree will eliminate not spots across an area ten times the size of London.
Enhanced 5G coverage – Around 71 per cent of the UK population( circa 50 million) will have access to VodafoneThree’ s fastest 5G speeds by the end of year one, thanks to bringing the networks together and an accelerated 5G roll out plan.
Andrea Donà, chief network officer, VodafoneThree, said:“ Bringing our networks together marks a major milestone for VodafoneThree, unlocking greater capacity, reducing 4G not spots, and expanding 5G coverage.
Just weeks into the rollout, millions of customers are already seeing the benefits of a nationwide boost, powered by our spectrum integration and Multi-Operator Core Network technology. It’ s a clear signal of VodafoneThree’ s ambition and ability to move at pace to deliver a new era of connectivity.”
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Research: Half of Brits don’ t know how to back up devices
Virgin Media O2 and
environmental charity Hubbub,
are urging Brits to back up and
donate old phones as research
reveals 46 % are holding onto
devices out of sentimentality,
with nearly 27.7 billion
memories stuck in drawers
across the country.
An estimated 123m unused
devices are gathering dust in
drawers across the UK – largely
because of the memories
they hold, with almost half of
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Brits( 46 %) feeling emotionally attached to them. These forgotten devices collectively store around 11 billion photos, 8.7 billion messages, and nearly 8 billion videos – moments too valuable to lose, yet too often left inaccessible.
Going through old devices brings unexpected emotion for 54 % of Brits, triggering memories hidden in photos, videos and messages.
Yet many never get the chance to revisit them as 41 % of those holding on to devices
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because of sentimental content have not backed up the content anywhere else, and one-in-four of those who have content stored in general admit they’ re not confident about backing it up. Almost half( 46 %) of people who have old or unused devices wish they knew how to protect old photos and videos, while 44 % have never tried.
Despite these back-up challenges, many people want their old tech to be
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used by someone who needs it. Over half( 54 %) of Brits would donate their old devices to charity if they knew it would go to someone in need. Nearly two-thirds( 64 %) like the idea of their tech getting a second life, and almost half( 49 %) would feel proud knowing it could help someone stay connected.
But post-pandemic, charitable giving has declined – with just over one in 10 Brits saying they’ re less active in supporting causes, and 32 % admitting they feel less connected to community needs. Just over one-in-three Brits( 34 %) feel guilty for not doing more.
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EUROMEDIA 9 |