RootMetrics: EE maintains performance lead, but rivals are catching up

The latest Mobile Performance Review report from RootMetrics shows that EE remains the UK operator to beat, but rivals are catching up.

EE swept six RootScore awards for overall performance, reliability, speed, and data, call, and text performance. The operator delivered the fastest median download speeds – across all network technologies – in every city.

Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer Division, said:

“Delivering the best mobile experience for...

22 July 2021 | LTE

DISH switches to AT&T after accusing T-Mobile of anti-competitive behaviour

DISH will pay AT&T at least $5 billion over the next decade to access its network following a spat with T-Mobile.

Since August 2020, T-Mobile has stopped activating and selling phones that don't support VoLTE to encourage any holdouts still relying on 3G to upgrade. DISH isn’t happy with T-Mobile bringing forward its plans to shutter its 3G CDMA network earlier than originally intended and accused the operator of anti-competitive behaviour.

“T-Mobile’s plans to...

20 July 2021 | AT&T

Vodafone partners with Mavenir to develop indoor OpenRAN solution

Vodafone and Mavenir have developed a small cell OpenRAN solution for indoor network coverage.

The solution is designed for businesses with medium to large office spaces and uses OpenRAN to support interoperability and prevent vendor lock-in.

Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone UK, said:

“So far, OpenRAN deployment has focused on outdoor connectivity, but there is significant potential for this technology in the office environment.

A simple...

8 July 2021 | LTE

Research: These countries are the ‘most connected’ in the world

Research from CircleLoop has found the countries which have the fastest and most widespread 4G, 5G, and fixed broadband connections.

South Korea, unsurprisingly, comes out on top with an overall “connected score” of 9.55 out of 10. The country’s score is based on an average mobile download speed of 186.06Mbps, fixed broadband download speed of 241.58Mbps, and 98.3 percent 4G availability.

On average mobile download speed, South Korea is just beat by the UAE which...

6 July 2021 | LTE

Vodafone’s European operations will be powered by renewables from July

Vodafone has announced that its European operations will be entirely powered by renewable energy sources from July.

The operator’s announcement follows a meeting of G7 leaders in Cornwall, UK earlier this month where tackling climate change was high on the agenda. The 2021 UN Climate Change Conference will be held in Glasgow in November where more definitive action is expected to be announced.

Companies like Vodafone are not waiting for global leaders to take action...

23 June 2021 | LTE

Virgin Media O2 gives small businesses a broadband speed boost

Virgin Media O2 is giving small businesses a broadband speed boost to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a rough year for most businesses, Virgin Media and O2 received some rare good news in May when the Competition and Markets Authority cleared a £31 billion merger between the industry giants.

Virgin Media O2 is now helping small businesses that likely didn’t have such good fortunes over the past year by boosting the upload speeds of customers using its...

21 June 2021 | Broadband

Ookla publishes analysis of European mobile roaming speeds over lockdown

The network testing experts at Ookla have published an analysis of European mobile roaming speeds over a year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Existing vaccines are, fortunately, effective against the ‘Delta’ variant which is spreading rapidly in countries like the UK. However, the reduced efficacy – especially after just one dose – has already set back the country’s lifting of remaining restrictions by four weeks.

A more virulent, deadly, and vaccine-dodging...

16 June 2021 | LTE

EE braces for a summer of staycations with coastal coverage boost

BT-owned EE, the UK’s largest mobile operator, is preparing for a surge in summer staycations by boosting its coverage in popular coastal destinations.

After being mostly cooped up inside for over a year, a holiday is near the forefront of most people’s minds. Many aren’t yet ready to travel abroad – especially with travel advice for destinations changing at short notice – and so will be looking a little closer to home.

Marc Allera, CEO of the Consumer Division...

4 June 2021 | LTE

CMA green lights £31B merger of telecoms giants Virgin and O2

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has given the green light to a £31 billion merger of telecoms giants Virgin and O2.

Provisional approval of the deal was granted last month but today’s announcement clears the companies to form a combined entity that can better compete against BT/EE after their own £12.5 billion merger in 2016.

Virgin and O2 both sell wholesale services to a number of mobile operators in the UK. In the case of Virgin, their wholesale...

20 May 2021 | Legislation & Government

EE eases the pain of returning to London’s rail network with coverage boost

EE has boosted its mobile coverage across London’s rail network in preparation for the return of commuters and travellers.

The UK’s largest mobile operator has built almost 70 new 4G mobile sites – with hundreds more planned – across London’s key rail routes.

Connectivity has been improved on seven sections of the London Euston to Birmingham New Street route, and six between London Victoria and Brighton. Other lines to see upgrades include London Paddington to...

17 May 2021 | LTE