TWTW Tech: O2 UK Rolling Out Faster 3G

Logo of Telefónica Europe

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.

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Super Fast HSPA+ MiFi Coming to Three

Three, who lay claim to being Britain’s most data-friendly mobile provider, are looking to be the first to provide a HSPA+ (enhanced high speed packet access) WiFi device in the UK in the form of the Huawei E586.

The new mobile dongle, developed by Chinese company Huawei, will provide download speeds of up to 21Mbps and upload speeds of up to 5.76Mbps; that is, once Three get round to updating their 3G network to handle HSPA+. With plans to have 80% of their network upgraded by the end of the year, it is encouraging to see UK networks finally getting round to improving mobile broadband speeds, although a true 4G connection would be more than welcome!

Three, who have recently been revealed as the nations ‘least satisfactory’ mobile network in the latest Ofcom report have released the pricing structure for the new device. The best of which I can see are:

15Gb will set you back £23 a month on an 18 month contract

5Gb will be £16/month on a rolling contract, with an initial £40 charge for the device

1Gb for just under £10 on an 18 month contract.

The device will allow up to 5 devices to be connected at any one time via WiFi and will will be available from next month.

Curious to see how the device will work? Well Three reveal all in this fairly idiot proof guide to using the new Huawei E586 available here.

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