What's happening at 1800MHz?

[hecatae]

Superfast mobile internet plans slowed by threat of legal action: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...et-4g-o2-delay

Or as it should say: "O2 throws it's weight around with threats"

[Craig]

Well that's crap. I have been with O2 for 5 years but have been ready to leave due to recent issues with customer service etc.

I am holding out till the official details of the new iPhone come out so we can see if its 4G / LTE / 1800MHZ compatible. As if it was I was considering joining Orange / T-Mobile depending on the reviews / pricing.

If not I will just be going to 3 as their existing network is speedy enough for phone use imo.

[Ben]

This doesn't sound good at all, does it.

Yet I find it hard to admonish O2 for taking this approach. All the MNOs would launch LTE simultaneously given access to the spectrum, and so the ability of Everything Everywhere to launch first is entirely artificial.

Rock and a hard place. We want LTE. MNOs want a level playing field.

[Craig]

You are right. It is not fair to the other networks. Will be interesting to see how it all works out.

Just wish we could get this 4G ball rolling :P

[Ben]

The most frustrating thing for me is that handsets are now arriving that support LTE. The new iPad was a bit of an anomaly, especially with the weird US-centric band support, but now the train is leaving the station and we're being left behind.

We're going to be in the unusual situation that phones with LTE support are being sold, advertised as having future capability to use LTE networks that don't exist yet.

[Hands0n]

Ben, in Europe, the train left ages ago. We're stuck here waiting for the announcement of when the next train will arrive

[Craig]

UK left behind pretty much as always :/

If O2 were to take action surely it would need to be soon?

[Ben]

Yes, though it might all be bravado to aid back-room bickering at the moment.

Not suggesting at all that back-room conversations take place between the MNOs, of course.

[Ben]

The Financial Times has it today that the government (they say the Conservatives, specifically) has brokered a 1-month cooling off period with the networks whereby they cannot initiate legal action. The time will be used to find a suitable resolution, preventing further delays to LTE rollout.

[Hands0n]

It will certainly be a good thing if they have. LTE needs to just get going with no further ado!

[Ben]

Hopefully now Everything Everywhere has announced EE it'll make it more difficult to backtrack, or at least more costly for the other networks should they take legal action and lose.