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Looking ahead

The way our customers are using their mobiles is changing.

More texts, picture messages, video, and internet, means our network traffic doubles every twelve months. Therefore we are continually building extra coverage, capacity and capability to meet our customers future needs.

Over the last few years we've spent over £1 billion on getting our network ready for the future. And we’ll keep spending the equivalent of £1.5 million a day on improving it. Recent improvements include the rollout of the UK’s first UMTS900 (3G900) network and the upgrade of our 3G network to support HSPA+.

But it doesn't stop there.....

One Grid – Two Operators – An exciting future

Back in June we announced our proposed plans to strengthen our network collaboration deal with Vodafone. And on 12th November our joint venture Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited was launched . This does not mean we are planning to completely merge our networks – just share resources and give customers the benefit of our joint expertise.

What does this mean for our customers?

We will be pooling the basic parts of our network infrastructure with Vodafone to create one national grid across the UK running each operator’s independent spectrum. This plan will deliver fantastic benefits for our customers. In fact by the end of 2015, we are aiming to have 98% indoor population coverage across our 2G and 3G networks. Great news!

The plans will mean both companies will have access to over 18,500 sites, which is an increase of more than 40% for each operator. And, because of the way we’ll be pooling sites, we expect there will be more than a 10% overall reduction in the total number of masts in the UK between both us and Vodafone – a great result for the environment!

What about our 4G network?

Subject to the outcome of the Government’s 4G spectrum auctions in 2013 our plans with Vodafone will lay the foundations for the roll out of two competing 4G networks to deliver a nationwide 4G service faster than either of us could have achieved independently. We’re currently aiming for 98% indoor and outdoor coverage by 2015, up to two years before the anticipated regulatory requirement.

To hear more about O2’s commitment to 4G and our 4G phone promise, click here. Or register here and we'll ping the latest news to your inbox or phone as and when we’ve got something to tell you about 4G.

Are customers going to be able to roam across networks, ie use both the O2 and Vodafone network?

No. This is just about sharing the land and the basic network infrastructure and equipment; sharing our expertise and doing our bit for the environment. We will still be running our networks on independent spectrum, but this partnership will improve the service that customers receive today on 2G and 3G and give Britain the 4G networks that it will need by the end of 2015.