Everything Everywhere - the service providers formerly known as Orange - are reeling, after findings published by RootMetrics have shown that their new 4G network is a long way short of providing the coverage that is expected of it.
The findings of the test - which was conducted by RootMetrics and presented to the BBC - show that across Manchester city centre almost 60% of the population were unable to access 4G, even though in theory the entire city should be connected.
The news comes as a significant set back to newly christened service providers Everything Everywhere - formerly Orange - as Bill Moore (RootMetrics' Chief Executive) explains: "Our testing clearly shows that 4G connections are not consistent, even within a nominated area - despite being significantly faster than any other network currently in the UK."
He went on to explain that: "Customers need to be aware of this as there will be an expectation of blistering fast mobile internet speeds whenever they use their phones." On average, the testing showed that 4G users in Manchester were accessing connection speeds of just 17 Mbps - a far cry from the potential speeds promised by, and expected of, the new network.
And it turned out that as soon as you stepped outside of the city centre things got infinitely worse, with customers not being able to access any 4G coverage whatsoever - although much faster connections were available once inside.
But, surprisingly, the report was not all doom and gloom, with Mr Moore actually believing that the new 1800Mhz spectrum has proved itself to be a success, commenting on the fact that current indoor speeds would have been completely unattainable without a 4G network to accommodate them.
But Vodafone and O2 are now hot on the heels of EE and are could roll out their own 4G services as early as next May next year, after Ofcom announced that the hotly anticipated Spectrum auction will take place in January 2013, with licences being granted in February and March.
So, it does seem that the future of UK telecommunications is indeed bright - the only question is, bright for who? But with the impending introduction of competition in the form of other, fully functioning 4G networks, EE will have to up their game quickly, or maybe have to think about another re-branding.
The findings of the test - which was conducted by RootMetrics and presented to the BBC - show that across Manchester city centre almost 60% of the population were unable to access 4G, even though in theory the entire city should be connected.
The news comes as a significant set back to newly christened service providers Everything Everywhere - formerly Orange - as Bill Moore (RootMetrics' Chief Executive) explains: "Our testing clearly shows that 4G connections are not consistent, even within a nominated area - despite being significantly faster than any other network currently in the UK."
He went on to explain that: "Customers need to be aware of this as there will be an expectation of blistering fast mobile internet speeds whenever they use their phones." On average, the testing showed that 4G users in Manchester were accessing connection speeds of just 17 Mbps - a far cry from the potential speeds promised by, and expected of, the new network.
And it turned out that as soon as you stepped outside of the city centre things got infinitely worse, with customers not being able to access any 4G coverage whatsoever - although much faster connections were available once inside.
But, surprisingly, the report was not all doom and gloom, with Mr Moore actually believing that the new 1800Mhz spectrum has proved itself to be a success, commenting on the fact that current indoor speeds would have been completely unattainable without a 4G network to accommodate them.
But Vodafone and O2 are now hot on the heels of EE and are could roll out their own 4G services as early as next May next year, after Ofcom announced that the hotly anticipated Spectrum auction will take place in January 2013, with licences being granted in February and March.
So, it does seem that the future of UK telecommunications is indeed bright - the only question is, bright for who? But with the impending introduction of competition in the form of other, fully functioning 4G networks, EE will have to up their game quickly, or maybe have to think about another re-branding.
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