Logo of Telefónica Europe (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

O2 UK is currently in the process of rolling out the fastest variant of 3G available (DC-HSPA) with a theoretical top download speed of 42Mbps.

DC-HSPA stands for dual-cell high speed packet access, and could potentially allow for double the download speed of the more widespread HSPA+ variant of 3G. O2 are beginning to roll out the faster version in major cities across the UK now.

While this is perhaps not the hike into 4G/LTE speeds we so desperately lack in the UK, any push to advance current services is certainly welcome. 4G has been delayed across Britain due to a “large number of technical and competition issues” an Ofcom spokesman told the Guardian. One of the bigger technical issues revolves around much of the UK’s dependance upon Digital Freeview television; it’s place in the radio spectrum currently occupies the space 4G would require.