Ofcom has published the response from networks regarding Everything Everywhere's bid to launch its 4G service ahead of the competition in the UK.
Everything Everywhere has produced a lengthy 60-page document outlining its claim for why it should be allowed to use its available 1800MHz licence for LTE and WiMAX technologies immediately.
In its report Everything Everywhere says the early 4G roll out "would result in considerable benefits for citizens and consumers.
"These benefits will be evident both in the short term, in terms of the improved quality of a number of aspects of Everything Everywhere's mobile services, but also in the longer term as a result of further investment in LTE technology in the UK."
Objection, your honour!
Both Vodafone and Telefonica (the parent company of O2) have submitted responses to Ofcom's proposed consultation – reacting negatively to the idea Everything Everywhere should be allowed to launch its 4G service first.
Vodafone's response leads on a proposed variation to Ofcom's and Everything Everywhere's current plan, stating "Vodafone strongly believes that a competitive market in 4G services will bring long-lasting benefits to UK consumers
"We would urge Ofcom to hold a full and fair spectrum auction as soon as possible, so that all operators can access the necessary spectrum for 4G."
Unjustifiable head start
Vodafone goes on to say: "Ofcom's current consultation proposes to give an unjustifiable head start to the largest player which could seriously undermine competition in the UK market for many years to come"
Vodafone highlights "three fundamental errors" with liberalising EE's 1800 spectrum, and O2 takes this one step further by declaring "Ofcom is wrong on all counts".
That's certainly a bold statement from O2, but does go on to "examine each element of Ofcom"s stated case for liberalisation and disprove each point" - which gives Ofcom a real headache when it comes to making a final decision.
Average Joes have their say
It's not only the networks which were invited to voice their opinions, members of the public have also had their say.
An anonymous respondent said: "This country was once great for taking bold decisions. Let Everything Everywhere use the 1800MHz as soon as possible to drive 4G forwards, rather than stifle advancement in this field by petty commercial considerations."
However Mr Goodchild says: "I believe allowing one operator to provide 4G services before other operators are able to do so creates an unfair market in the telecoms sector."
"Everything Everywhere are effectively asking for a head start, in which they will have several months to market themselves as the only choice for consumers wishing to upgrade to 4G services"
We've asked you, the faithful TechRadar readers, on Twitter and Facebook to voice your opinions on the matter – so head on over a let us know where you stand.
From Ofcom
O2 blasts Ofcom for 'analytical' failings in row over 4G - Daily Telegraph
In an uncharacteristically forthright attack, O2 said the regulator had ignored its own claim that there should be two 4G providers in the market and drawn conclusions that are “irrational and fundamentally unfair”.
“It is unclear...why Ofcom has not bothered to review its own contemporaneous documents on the merger,” O2 added.
An Everything Everywhere spokesman said: “Being one of several potential companies able to launch 4G this year does not make us a 'monopoly’. This is exactly the type of rhetoric, that is designed solely to delay the launch of 4G in the UK.
Theoretically, both Vodafone and O2 could launch 4G at the moment but are unlikely to do so until after the 4G spectrum auction later this year.
More 3G Users Join China Unicom - Analyst Blog - NASDAQ
China's second largest mobile operator China Unicom ( CHU ) added 3.3 million cellular subscribers in April, down 5.7% from the prior month. This takes the company's total customer base to 212.75 million.
The company's GSM subscriber base expanded to 160.97 million with net additions of 0.34 million customers, while its 3G subscriber base increased to 51.78 million with net additions of 2.92 million.
The 3G subscriber base is growing rapidly, particularly driven by Apple Inc. 's ( AAPL ) iPhone sales. Additionally, China Unicom is focusing more on improving its 3G data surfing service, and offering cheaper handsets and low cost services to win new customers. These efforts are drawing more 3G subscribers, eventually leading to higher average revenue per user.
Despite the loss of exclusive hold on iPhones to China Telecom Corp. ( CHA ), the company's 3G subcriber growth remained encouraging in April relative to its major rivals. China's mobile leader China Mobile ( CHL ) attracted only 2.3 million 3G subscribers while China Telecom added 2.01 million to its 3G customer base.
China Unicom expects its 3G subscriber base to reach 90 million by the end of the year, taking the 3G service revenue to RMB 70 billion ($11.1 billion) from RMB 40 billion last year.
Coming to the fixed-line business, the company is poised to benefit from expansion and speed enhancement of fiber optic service in its broadband business. China Unicom added 0.58 million broadband customers in April, bringing the total number to 58.87 million.
But the company is experiencing significant declines in its local access lines due to the impact of the ongoing fixed-to-mobile substitution. Erosion in the fixed-line subscriber base continues with approximately 0.01 million customers lost in April, taking the total number to 92.34 million.
We are maintaining our long-term Underperform recommendation on China Unicom. The stock retains a Zacks #4 (Sell) Rank for the short term (1-3 months).
APPLE INC (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report
CHINA TELCM-ADR (CHA): Free Stock Analysis Report
CHINA MOBLE-ADR (CHL): Free Stock Analysis Report
CHINA UNICOM (CHU): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research
No comments:
Post a Comment