UK 5G Spectrum Results Summary

It's been couple of months since Ofcom announced 700 MHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz 5G spectrum auctions results here. Part of C-band spectrum was auctioned back in 2018 and the results from Ofcom for the award of 2.3 and 3.4 GHz spectrum auctions is available here.

Results of Ofcom spectrum auction released today: pre-trade C-Band layout unpalatable but Vodafone and O2 already agreed a swap to enable 80MHz contiguous for O2 with Vodafone's two blocks being relatively close. Expect further trades in time... https://t.co/rkBpq51dxp pic.twitter.com/HlVhmOR4Tp

— Peter Clarke (@PedroClarke1) April 27, 2021

TMN detailed the spectrum trade between O2 and Vodafone that resulted in Vodafone exchanging their new C-band spectrum with the old one from O2. This allowed O2 to gain 80 MHz of contiguous spectrum but it has its own challenges as highlighted in the Tweet.

O2 UK trading C-Band to gain 80MHz contiguous at 3720-3800MHz will not be without challenge for their deployment team; much of the existing 5G deployment is not capable of running at such frequencies. https://t.co/eWqU7Ln3ny pic.twitter.com/WYOrT1730r

— Peter Clarke (@PedroClarke1) April 27, 2021

It took EE 2 minutes after the results were announced to switch on their 700 MHz site.

and using Nokia's fantastic platform. To give the details we got the license at 07:14 and we were live at 07:16 epic job in our Service Platforms team and our fantastic partner @nokia

— Neil J. McRae (@neilmcrae) April 27, 2021

More spectrum trades can be expected as TMN reports as it would make sense for the remaining three operators (except Telefonica O2) to obtain contiguous spectrum.

Related Posts: 

• Telecoms Infrastructure Blog: Three UK's Gigabit 5G Poles Explained
• The 3G4G Blog - Radio Design Webinar: Optimising Your 700 MHz Deployments
• Operator Watch Blog: O2 UK Enabling a 5G Future
• Operator Watch Blog: Vodafone Accelerates Open RAN Innovation, Evangelizes Benefits to Other Operators
• Operator Watch Blog: BT UK's Journey to Automation
• Operator Watch Blog: 2019 UK Mobile Network Developments Roundup
• Operator Watch Blog: BT's Converged Core to Launch in 2023
• Telecoms Infrastructure Blog: Temporary masts for festivals, events, etc.
• The 3G4G Blog: Mobile Network Cell Tower Site Construction
• Operator Watch Blog: Average Three UK customer will use 56 GB per month by 2025 

O2 UK Enabling a 5G Future

David Owens, Head of Technical Trials, Telefonica/O2 spoke recently on Enabling a “5G” Future in What Next for Wireless Infrastructure summit. O2 was the last of the operators in UK to rollout 5G and has also less spectrum than other UK operators. It was good to hear that O2 is thinking seriously about how 5G will change everything. The talk is embedded below. 

As Christmas is just round the corner, here is an advert from O2 promoting not their technology but 12-months of free Disney+

Related Posts:

• Operator Watch Blog: O2 UK Getting 5G Ready...
• Operator Watch Blog: 2019 UK Mobile Network Developments Roundup
• Operator Watch Blog: UK MNO Mobile Spectrum Holdings
• The 3G4G Blog: Mobile Voice Communications is neither Dying, nor Dead! 

2019 UK Mobile Network Developments Roundup

In a presentation/report last year, iDate Digiworld labelled UK as a leader of 5G. So it was good to see a nice roundup from UK, courtesy of Peter Clarke & Jake Mcneill

Do you agree that 'The UK is Europe's 5G Network leader' ? pic.twitter.com/eR67BX1QgX

— 3G4G (@3g4gUK) December 12, 2019

The video is embedded below and you can find a lot of information on Peter's website here.




Related Posts:

• Operator Watch Blog: BT's Converged Core to Launch in 2023
• Operator Watch Blog: O2 UK Getting 5G Ready...
• Operator Watch Blog: Three UK - Bringing A True 5G Experience
• Operator Watch Blog: UK MNO Mobile Spectrum Holdings
• 3G4G Small Cells Blog: Vodafone UK improving coverage with Phone Boxes, Mini-masts & Manhole Covers
• Operator Watch Blog: EE - 5G is going to change everything all over again
• Operator Watch Blog: Vodafone UK Launches 5G, Plans Disruption With Unlimited Data Plans

O2 UK Getting 5G Ready...

Although slightly behind other operators O2 have announced the launch of their 5G network  using its 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz spectrum later this year. The roll-out will begin in the four corners of the UK. Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London will be the first to benefit from O2’s 5G network. Other areas of the UK will enjoy roll-out from 2020 to coincide with the wider availability of 5G handsets. 

                                                                                                                                                                              Source

Ahead of its #5G launch @O2 announces significant network investment at key locations such as sports venues and shopping centres $TEF pic.twitter.com/enrfJQtYUQ

— Paolo Pescatore (@paolopescatore) May 10, 2019

Mark Evans, CEO, Telefónica UK, explained at the release of O2’s full year 2018 results that, while the company prepares for 5G rollout in 2019, it will work to build a 5G Economy in coalition with British industry, making the case for 5G in the UK and exploring the possibilities of the latest mobile standard. Evans elaborates: 

“5G is a promise of so much more – for consumers, business, industry and public services.  O2 is working in partnership with British industry, encouraging businesses, big and small, to engage with the possibilities of 5G technology through both our testbed programme and launch deployment.  O2’s 5G network will arrive this year and we want the next-generation of mobile services to launch with a bang. 5G will benefit customers from launch, with better speeds and improved customer experience.  Following the demand from our FTSE 100 trials, we are extending our testbed opportunities so that businesses of all sizes can work us to build the 5G Economy. Mobile is one of the UK’s most powerful opportunities to strengthen our economy and improve the lives of British people and 5G is a significant milestone for this nation.” 

While Derek McManus, the Chief Operating Officer of Telefonica O2 states that the operator has invested over £2 billion in their network in the last two years, and this he believes will pave the way for 5G: 

 “Mobile has become a necessity for consumers and businesses alike. It’s no longer just a phone. We bank, we shop, we watch content, and we do business on mobiles. In fact, it goes a long way beyond just person to person. For example, Transport for London relies on mobile to manage their timetable and ensure their buses run on time. And Uber, that’s the key platform to reach and connect to their customers. And we believe it has even more to offer. But 5G is more than just connectivity. I believe that has the potential to transform every sector that it touches, from transport to energy grids, from manufacturing to social and healthcare and from education to entertainment. For example, health. In the years to come, we wouldn’t need to visit a doctor surgery. In fact, research firm Juniper say that the NHS could benefit with GP hours over video conferencing and real time remote monitoring helped in helping to diagnose problems straight away."

Telefonica O2 believe that the government will save a lot of money, thanks to the introduction of things like Smart Lighting, smart refuge collection, as well as improved social care. MIMO cities will increase the livability to the reduction in road congestion and real delays. 5g will offer manufacturers the chance to integrate intelligent mobility into the factories and truly take advantage of such technologies as automation. The opportunity for businesses and organizations is driven by the characteristics of 5G mobile networks.

To build a 5G Economy O2 is creating 5G innovation spaces for businesses of all sizes following demand for its FTSE 100 testbed opportunities. One such test bed is the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. Here O2 along with several partners are testing and developing connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) technology.

The Millbrook network comprises 59 sites and 89 small cells, which is operated by wireless solution provider Dense Air. A 12-month agreement with the AutoAir project will see O2 integrate these sites and small cells into its public infrastructure.

The AutoAir project is one of six government-funded 5G testbeds, which are part of the national 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme launched in 2017. To date, AutoAir has received nearly £6 million in government funds and more than £4.5 million from matched industry funding.

The project aims to validate and develop CAVs using 5G technology, as well as intelligent transport systems (ITS) for roads and railways. The test 5G small cell network will be deployed in the sub-6 GHz and millimetrewave bands on a so-called “neutral host” platform that will allow multiple service providers to use the infrastructure via network slicing. The benefit of 5G is that its low latency and high capacity can enable vehicles to send data – even 4K video – to an ITS, which could help to improve road safety and reduce traffic congestion.

Earlier this year, the AutoAir 5G Testbed and Trials consortium was able to prove this capability, during tests at Millbrook that saw a McLaren sports car receive and send data at 1 Gbit/s whilst driving round the site at 160 Mph, and real-time UltraHD 4K video sharing between a network of moving vehicles.

 

O2 is also working with Nokia on two Massive MIMO trials in Kings Cross and Marble Arch, aimed at enhancing connectivity for O2 customers and paving the way for the future deployment of 5G across the capital. Massive MIMO technology works by sending multiple beams of data from an antenna to devices, increasing performance and enhancing capacity with the ability to serve more users simultaneously.

By trialling the technology in locations with high levels of data traffic, O2 will be able to boost coverage in these areas whilst also evaluating the technology for future deployment in urban areas.  Over 95 million people travel through the Kings Cross St Pancras area every year and over 14 million passed through Marble Arch area last year.

The pilot uses the additional 2.3GHz spectrum that O2 secured earlier this year in the spectrum auction. O2 was the only UK network to secure extra 2.3GHz capacity to boost its existing network.

O2 does of course use Huawei equipment and Mark Evans has said the company was “mindful” of an ongoing Government review into the presence of Chinese firm Huawei in parts of 5G infrastructure, and said he hoped to see a “conclusion made on facts”. Mr Evans acknowledged the UK’s own National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is involved in the analysis of Huawei, is yet to report any security breaches involving the firm and that they currently “meet legislation”. He also told Sky News "there's no doubt" that banning Huawei from the UK will stall 5G mobile deployment.

Another O2 UK Huawei site with Massive MIMO 5G. O2 has found the Huawei light and now can't stop! pic.twitter.com/BWAJIwyPTa

— Peter Clarke (@PedroClarke1) June 22, 2019

Related Posts:

• UK MNO Mobile Spectrum Holdings
• 5G plans by UK Operators - Nov 2018

UK MNO Mobile Spectrum Holdings

Picture Source: Keith Dyer

In a recent consultation document on 'Award of the 700 MHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz spectrum bands' that the UK regulator Ofcom has published (link), there is a nice summary picture (pg. 62 or pg. no. 60) of all the current spectrum holding by the big 4 MNOs.

Looking at this, one can conclude that all the UK operators have spectrum to launch basic 5G services whenever they are ready.

5G plans by UK Operators - Nov 2018

Vodafone: 1000 live 5G sites by 2020

• Back in June, Vodafone announced 7 cities will be part of 5G trials starting in July.
• In October, Vodafone announced that they have became the first company in the UK to carry full 5G over a commercial network. Live mobile data traffic was being streamed to and from the Internet exclusively over 5G from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester, connected to Vodafone’s nationwide converged fibre network.
• Vodafone further said as a part of the same announcement that their network engineers were already achieving high-speed Internet connectivity and low latency from the Salford site using Active Antenna (Massive MIMO) technology. This effectively provides multiple-data ‘channels’ from a single antenna, coupled with the 3.4GHz 5G spectrum. Vodafone secured the largest block of this 5G spectrum at this year’s auction.
• In September, Vodafone made UK’s first holographic call using 5G.
• Vodafone is planning commercial network and 1,000 5G sites by 2020

The video of the first live holographic call is below:

EE/BT: 1,500 sites, 16 cities with 5G in 2019

• EE, part of BT Group, has nine live 5G trial sites across East London.
• Some of the learning as part of this announcement included the fact that rooftop sites often need significant strengthening to carry the new 50 kg 5G antennas – and some sites house three of these (3 sectors)
• EE launching 5G within 16 UK cities in 2019, roughly 1,500 sites
• EE is upgrading transmission to 10Gbps links at each 5G site
• 5G Smartphones to be introduced alongside 5G Home router for 5G broadband
• EE also building next generation 5G core network, with virtualised network functions on a cloud native infrastructure
• BT Sport showcased first live trial of remote production broadcast live over EE’s 5G network

‘3’ UK Committed to Invest Over £2bn into 5G

• According to Three press release: It’s committed spend to date covers the acquisition of the UK’s leading 5G spectrum position, new 5G radio equipment and cell site upgrades, high-capacity dark fibre network, the world’s first end-to-end cloud-based core network, and new digital systems that will enhance user experience
• The first commercial quantities of 5G smartphone and home broadband devices are expected to be available by H2 2019. 
• According to CCS Insight, Three now owns about 24 percent of all spectrum suitable for 4G and 5G services. This, it says, places it ahead of BT (21 percent), Vodafone (19 percent) and O2 (15 percent). The remaining 20 percent, which consists of 700 MHz and 3.6 GHz airwaves, is earmarked for sale by Ofcom in late 2019.
• Customers of Three already use 7.6GB of data per month, more than three times the industry average. Based on projections from Ofcom, Dave Dyson, CEO, sees a scenario in which this usage surges to 90GB per month in 2025. Note that this prediction has increased from 56 GB per month in 2025 as we earlier reported.

O2: Massive MIMO Pilot to prepare for 5G

• O2 has the least amount of announcements and information on 5G. In a recent press release, it announced that it has launched a pilot to boost London network ahead of 5G.
• The pilot is effectively saying that O2 is working with Nokia on two Massive MIMO trials in Kings Cross and Marble Arch (in London), aimed at enhancing connectivity for O2 customers and paving the way for the future deployment of 5G across the capital.
• The pilot is in the newly acquired 2.3 GHz spectrum.
• The pilot will lay the foundation for the next-generation of mobile connectivity– 5G.
• On the positive side, Ofcom confirmed that O2 had delivered against its commitment to provide 98% indoor 4G coverage and 90% geographical landmass mass coverage across the UK. 

EE, O2, Three & Vodafone 4G: Which is best?

Which network is best value?

4G doesn't quite live up to the 60Mbps advertised speeds as we topped out at 40Mbps. Around congested urban areas like London you can expect speeds to average between 10 - 20Mbps.

Real-world results showed there was little to separate EE, O2 and Vodafone in terms of raw download speeds. Three was slightly slower but you can still expect 10Mbps+ in most areas.

The networks take a different approach to try and attract customers. EE focuses strengths like widespread coverage and consistent high-speeds. 

Three might not be the fastest but it is the cheapest and the only network which provides true all-you-can-eat data, so you don't need to worry about going over data limits. It is also the only network to allow you to use your allowance in the US, so if you're a frequent traveller this will prove invaluable.

O2 and Vodafone offer similar high-speeds and enticing add-ons. O2 offers subscriptions to Evernote and The Sun+, whereas Vodafone throws in access to Sky Sports Mobile or Spotify Premium.

Ultimately, it's going to depend on the reception. For many people in the UK, the only way to currently get 4G will be to sign up to EE as it offers coverage in areas other networks haven't reached.

Make sure you check every operator's coverage checker before signing up to a plan. Also take time to look at the benefits offered:

Recommendations:

EE - This is the network if you need the widest possible 4G coverage and consistent high-speeds and you're not too interested in add-ons.

O2 - Only if you live in or around one of the 13 big cities and you want access to discounts through the Priority Hub and  subscriptions to Evernote and The Sun+

Vodafone - Covers a third of the UK. This one is for sports or music fans as you get the choice between subscriptions Sky Sports Mobile and Spotify Premium. 

Three - Not the fastest, but the network of choice for those who don't want to be constrained by a data limit. Also allow you to use your allowance in the US.

Read more: http://www.itpro.co.uk/mobile/22048/ee-o2-three-vodafone-4g-which-is-best#ixzz31Ugt0IU2

Mobile operators in UK

EE

It is the largest mobile network operator in the UK, with around 28 million customers.
Virgin Mobile UK along with ASDA Mobile operates on the EE network under a MVNO agreement.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EE_(telecommunications_company)

Voda phone

The world's second-largest mobile phone company. As of March 2012, Vodafone UK has 19.2 million subscribers and is the third largest mobile telecommunications network nationally after EE and O2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vodafone_UK

02

It is the second-largest mobile telecommunications provider in the United Kingdom (after EE).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O2_(United_Kingdom)

Three
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutchison_3G#United_Kingdom
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_Kingdom_mobile_virtual_network_operators

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/ee-crowned-uks-best-mobile-operator--vodafone-in-last-place-9189018.html
Britain operates on a GSM network.

http://ukmobilecoverage.co.uk/

Britain's largest mobile operator, EE, said on Monday it posted its best quarterly take-up of its 4G network in the first three months of 2014 due to growing demand for fast mobile Internet and forecast customer numbers more than doubling in 2014.

EE, a joint venture between Orange and Deutsche Telekom, said it added another 889,000 customers in the three months to March 31, taking its customer base to 2.9 million with nearly 5,100 corporate clients.

EE, formerly known as Everything Everywhere, said it was on target to exceed 6 million 4G customers by the end of 2014.

Despite the growth, the company said turnover during the quarter dropped 3.6 percent from a year ago to 1.6 billion pounds ($2.7 billion).

Operating revenue was down 1.7 percent on a year ago to 1.5 billion pounds which included the impact of regulatory cuts.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/28/ee-results-idUKL6N0NK1RX20140428

Market share: Mobile operators UK 2013

http://www.statista.com/statistics/279993/market-share-of-mobile-phone-operators-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/