The coverage of mobile towers that offer data and phone is extreme these days, blanketing most of the western hemisphere. British citizens were some of the first to benefit from the new technology of 3G around a decade ago, but they are now among the last to gain access to 4G, falling behind the US and the rest of western Europe. There have been many issues with 4G mobile UK, which has significantly slowed the scheduled roll-out.
The majority of people in the UK would like 4G coverage sooner rather than later. In a poll done where over 2000 adults were questioned for their opinion on the subject, over 80% of them indicated that they thought 4G coverage should be provided soon. Mentioning reasons like keeping up with competition in other nations, their opinion was fairly clear. However, the poll did not state whether the people polled knew about the possible problems that new coverage could cause.
4G is normally defined as coverage that uses the 800Mhz and 2100Mhz frequency band. 3G networks use a separate frequency. Greater coverage at quicker speeds is possible when using 4G technologies at 800Mhz. The problem is that a lot of other devices use the 800Mhz band or bands close by, and any of these could possibly interfere with each other.
If current 4G technology were installed, up to 10% of UK households situated near a 4G tower might have a good reception for their cellular phones, but lose all of their digital television access to free television stations. The towers could possibly interfere with the signal boosters that many people use to get free television channels in their homes. Filters used to reduce this interference are not a complete solution.
Other possibly problematic services include pay TV and digital television, as well. Of course, as these are paid services people are free to switch to other options. However, the companies that own these services are not exactly thrilled with the idea of being forced to make major changes or go out of business, so they have been persistent voices against rolling out the current incarnation of 4G.
Some sharing of the spectrum has been accomplished by auctioning off the preferred wavelengths. Companies that show an interest in using them put up money to 'own' the rights to that wavelength. Most of the competition for 4G airspace has actually been from among mobile providers. A few companies give the appearance of holding back hoping that a number of in-progress court cases will sort things out.
Trials with 4G are in progress in several cities in the UK by several large providers. However, they are not using the debated frequencies at this time. The reason that the frequencies are so contested is that they provide greater areas of coverage with less towers, and penetrate buildings better. Thus, everyone wants the 'best' frequencies.
It seems that 4G will be coming to the UK, but it sure seems like it's slow getting here. For now, the big companies are fighting it out in a war of business deals, court dates and auctions. 4G mobile UK may cause a few short-term issues, but most citizens are for the implementation, which will offer much better capabilities in the long term.
The majority of people in the UK would like 4G coverage sooner rather than later. In a poll done where over 2000 adults were questioned for their opinion on the subject, over 80% of them indicated that they thought 4G coverage should be provided soon. Mentioning reasons like keeping up with competition in other nations, their opinion was fairly clear. However, the poll did not state whether the people polled knew about the possible problems that new coverage could cause.
4G is normally defined as coverage that uses the 800Mhz and 2100Mhz frequency band. 3G networks use a separate frequency. Greater coverage at quicker speeds is possible when using 4G technologies at 800Mhz. The problem is that a lot of other devices use the 800Mhz band or bands close by, and any of these could possibly interfere with each other.
If current 4G technology were installed, up to 10% of UK households situated near a 4G tower might have a good reception for their cellular phones, but lose all of their digital television access to free television stations. The towers could possibly interfere with the signal boosters that many people use to get free television channels in their homes. Filters used to reduce this interference are not a complete solution.
Other possibly problematic services include pay TV and digital television, as well. Of course, as these are paid services people are free to switch to other options. However, the companies that own these services are not exactly thrilled with the idea of being forced to make major changes or go out of business, so they have been persistent voices against rolling out the current incarnation of 4G.
Some sharing of the spectrum has been accomplished by auctioning off the preferred wavelengths. Companies that show an interest in using them put up money to 'own' the rights to that wavelength. Most of the competition for 4G airspace has actually been from among mobile providers. A few companies give the appearance of holding back hoping that a number of in-progress court cases will sort things out.
Trials with 4G are in progress in several cities in the UK by several large providers. However, they are not using the debated frequencies at this time. The reason that the frequencies are so contested is that they provide greater areas of coverage with less towers, and penetrate buildings better. Thus, everyone wants the 'best' frequencies.
It seems that 4G will be coming to the UK, but it sure seems like it's slow getting here. For now, the big companies are fighting it out in a war of business deals, court dates and auctions. 4G mobile UK may cause a few short-term issues, but most citizens are for the implementation, which will offer much better capabilities in the long term.
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