O2 wins largest spectrum share in latest auction

[Chris_K]

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

[Anonymous]

@Skyhawk1010 I’ve been all over the place and I’ve never seen speeds like this.
Last time I’ve been to London I just thought “ignore you’re phone it will not work” surprise, worked fine in London.
For you to have an idea, it’s so bad in Manchester that I can’t even send an iMessage, using o2 3G roaming will full throttle is faster than Manchester’s o2 4G (no, this isn’t a joke).
My partner uses EE and same location speed tests are around 25Mbps (can drop to 20 over the weekend or any city centre events). I’m crossing my fingers, my iPhone X is already compatible with band 40, bring it on

[Skyhawk1010]

Proof of the pudding..

[Skyhawk1010]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2Mc4jNNrO2zK4Oj53

[Skyhawk1010]

...is in the eating

[packages]

Manchester wont be getting this boost soon due to Vodafone hosting the Machester Area.

Remember the East-West divide. There’s a reason why O2 have announced those certain cities to get this boost first.

Still great news for o2 customers though.

[Anonymous]

There’s no listings for know. I still have hope

[jonsie]

Thankfully I only have the need to go into Manchester once a week but hopefully soon I'll be able to use my phone on my weekly visit.

[Cleoriff]

Not sure why people think Manchester won't benefit from it? No list at present and if previous threads on here are anything to go by, the poor coverage in Manchester is complained about just as much as London?

[Skyhawk1010]

I can’t say for certain, but my money would be on a near simultaneous switch-on up and down the country for 2300mHz. 

Unless practicalities dictate otherwise, it is absolutely in O2’s interests to get it all working ASAP. It will add a massive boost to present day users and also assist greatly in selling to new users and those from other networks.

[packages]

@CleoriffI’m not saying they won’t benefit from it, just don’t expect the rollout to be as fast as o2 hosted cities.

In London there was a North/South divide between which network upgraded what but this has been getting unwound.

Here’s a good page explaining the split: https://legacy.pedroc.co.uk/vodafone_and_o2_4g_masts_by_beacon.htm 

Expect to see blistering speeds with compatible phones if o2 use the spectrum to its maximum ability though.