Broadband News

3 to double speeds this summer

Tuesday, 12 August 2008

By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

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In a bid to increase its slice of the mobile broadband market, 3 has revealed that it will be increasing network speeds by the end of the summer.

3's (www.Three.co.uk) network currently has a theoretical top maximum speed of 3.6Mb, but in recognition that it’s almost impossible for customers to achieve these speeds, 3 currently only advertises a top speed of up to 2.8Mb.

“Most people on our HSDPA Network can expect a speed ranging from 1Mb to 1.5Mb, allowing you to download a 3-4 minute music track in 30 seconds or less,” said the mobile phone giant on its website.

However, a 3 spokesperson told TechRadar.com, “We’re hoping to bring our network up to 7.2Mb over the summer.

“Our network currently offers 3.6Mb, which in real terms is around 1Mb, and we're currently investing in our network.

“This means we might get 2Mb when we upgrade. The appetite for data is huge, so we have to have a sufficiently deep network, with the right amount of density and backhaul, to cater for all customers.”

3 had a spat with rival Vodafone (www.Vodafone.co.uk) earlier this year over mobile broadband speed transparency after the provider had been advertising a top speed of 7.2Mb across its network when only very limited customers in London and major UK airports could access the upgraded network.

In line with Vodafone’s plans, 3 also revealed that it will be working on increasing speeds further, to a theoretical maximum of 14.4Mb in the future. However, no date has been set as the provider concentrates on its current upgrade.

“You have to bear in mind that higher speeds mean the network becomes more sensitive” said the spokesperson. “For instance, with 7.2Mb you have to be within around 200m of a mobile mast to really get the top speeds.

“What we hope to offer is greater capacity, in order to serve more users, rather than just focusing on the top speeds.”

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “It’s great that although 3 is advertising the fact that it will be upgrading its mobile broadband speeds, it is also acknowledging the fact that it will be almost impossible for customers to receive the theoretical maximums.

“Broadband customers - both mobile and fixed line - are sick of being sold products on the basis of impossible speeds and the clarity that 3 is offering is a real breath of fresh air to the market,” he concluded.

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