topic O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction in Welcome & News

O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

Chris_K — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 08:45:49 GMT

We're proud to announce our £500M+ investment in the latest spectrum auction. That’s what powers a network, and ours is about to get even better. How, exactly? Our spectrum acquisition means more 4G for you as well as being 5G ready for the future, and help boost connectivity in the UK.

Welcome to a new Mobile Britain. See our full press release here.

Headlines:

Telefónica UK (O2) wins largest spectrum share in latest auction, investing £523.6 million in 80MHz and further demonstrates Telefónica’s commitment to the UK Market.
The company obtained 40MHz of immediately useable spectrum (2.3GHz) and 40MHz of spectrum expected to be used in the launch of 5G (3.4GHz).
New 4G airwaves to be switched on for customers within 24 hours of ability to deploy

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

MI5 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 08:49:58 GMT

Good news

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 09:10:25 GMT

I’m not so sure it’s great news for the 2% still not covered by 2G...

when will any network get 100% I wonder....

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

Cleoriff — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 09:15:30 GMT

Good to hear @Chris_K Hopefully Manchester will receive some of that investment /spectrum

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

ewanrw — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 09:41:24 GMT

To be fair, Telefonica were the only bidder for 2.3GHz 4G spectrum. EE weren't allowed to bid on it as they have so much, and Vodafone have plenty.

As for 3.4GHz 5G, Vodafone purchased the most with 50MHz, EE and Telefonica with 40MHz each and 3UK with 20MHz.

Roll on 2020!

ewan

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

MI5 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 09:46:27 GMT

@ewanrwwrote:
To be fair, Telefonica were the only bidder for 2.3GHz 4G spectrum. EE weren't allowed to bid on it as they have so much, and Vodafone have plenty.

As for 3.4GHz 5G, Vodafone purchased the most with 50MHz, EE and Telefonica with 40MHz each and 3UK with 20MHz.

Roll on 2020!

ewan

Yes, it makes the playing field more even now.

It will be interesting to see how this works out in reality though.

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

ewanrw — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 10:03:29 GMT

Well it means they have more 4G than 3UK now, but still way behind EE and Voda.

The next 5G auctions will be more of an indicator.

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:17:53 GMT

Good news but what about working 4G & 2G first

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

ewanrw — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:22:32 GMT

4G you should be in luck as they're saying it will be available to use within 24 hours of final approval.

Suspect you're out of luck with 2G tho' as most networks are refarming their 1800MHz for 4G. Not sure about 900MHz, but would make sense as sub 1GHz is the more desirable frequency.

ewan

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

Skyhawk1010 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 14:51:37 GMT

Didn’t Three UK bid on the 2300mHz spectrum?

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

adamtemp64 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 16:41:49 GMT

2.3ghz is for 4g improvement and o2 have won the whole 40mhz block for switch on 24 hours after available I guess this means o2 just need the licence varied for the 4g coverage and then watch the improved speeds.

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

darrengf — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:00:18 GMT

This is amazing news and something that o2 is desperately needing. They have done great in all fairness to get this far by using 1800Hhz and 2100MHz reframing. But owning 40 MHz of 2300MHz is now a game changer.

It was also great to see them also winning 40MHz of 5G 3400 MHz spectrum. Really shows the commitment.

the below is what they own now. Three extra 40MHz was the uk broadband spectrum they purchased.

If you now add add what each network now owes after Today’s announcement.

EE Had 255MHz. Won extra 40MHz of 3400MHz so now owns 295MHz

Vodafone Had 176MHz. Won extra 50MHz of 3400MHz so now owns 226MHz

Three Had 90MHz which is useable. Won 20MHz so owns now 100MHz useable and 40MHz for UK Broadband use. So this takes full total to 140MHz

O2 Had 86MHz. From today they won an Additional 40MHz in 2300MHz which is useable instantly when they own it and 40MHz in the 3400MHz spectrum.

total now is 166MHz which is near enough double the capacity in one single transaction.

Really excited to see what the extra capicity will do especially in a London and places desperately needing it.

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

jonsie — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:09:46 GMT

I am very pleasantly surprised with this. Just when approximately will we see the switch on?

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

MI5 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:10:49 GMT

@darrengf

We'll wxpect a full report when it all rolls out mate

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

darrengf — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:32:43 GMT

Don’t you worry. Phones are fully charged and I’m rairing to go. I’ll find it some where to test lol

come on O2 I’m raising to go. Lol

ill try to test all 4 networks too where possible 😀

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

MI5 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:42:55 GMT

Excellent

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 20:35:53 GMT

This is amazing!

Finally O2, Manchester City centre is waiting for you!

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

MI5 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 20:44:00 GMT

Fingers crossed for you.
I'd hope the major city's will get the benefit first.

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

pgn — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 20:49:34 GMT

Saw this on Twitter this morning - more is definitely better, judging by the way 4G download speed degrades every weekday afternoon near where I work (presumably due to local demand exceeding supply in a densely-populated area).

Re: O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 22:15:26 GMT

Watch it go to London and the rest of the country is left with what we have already...

Same stuff different day