Synopsis
The UK’s 3G and mobile data market is one of the largest in Europe. Competition among network operators has induced them to provide similar pricing and usage models, commonly including between 3GB and 10GB per month. This has substantially increased consumer use of mobile data. Low-key data applications such as SMS dominate the market while mobile TV, though widely available, has thus far failed to capture public attention. This report surveys the UK’s mobile data market, providing an overview of 3G developments, regulatory issues and technologies. It also profiles the major operators, presents statistics on non-voice services, and analyses developments in mobile TV and mobile application stores.
Key developments:
Ofcom claims 4G spectrum efficiency gains of up to 200% on 3G; 800MHz and 2.6GHz auction delivers lower revenue than forecast; Big Three m-commerce initiative; UK broadband LTE developments in 3.5GHz band; EE and BT Wholesale trial LTE in the 800MHz band; EE’s LTE network reaches 45% population coverage; 3UK reports 97% of all network traffic is data; O2 and Vodafone sign network sharing deal; O2 contracts NSN for LTE network; MBNL signs £100 million network deal with Virgin Media Business; EE launches LTE in 11 cities using refarmed 1800MHz holdings; potential LTE interference with DTTV in 800MHz band; O2 and Vodafone joint network plans approved; EE signs m-payment deal with MasterCard; Pingit mobile payment app launched; regular’s 2011 market report and updates to Q1 2012; telcos’ financial and operating data to end-2012; market developments to March 2013.
Companies covered in this report include:
H3, O2, Vodafone, Everything Everywhere (EE), Virgin Mobile, UK Broadband.
