Mobile provider ramps up its speed of service with new superfast 3G network

O2 has announced that it is offering greater coverage and a 50 per cent increase in network capacity that will deliver a more efficient 3G broadband experience to customers.

The mobile operator has said that it is switching to a new superfast 3G network that taps into the 900MHz frequency band, which was previously only licensed for 2G services in the UK.

Since O2 has been granted permission to use the frequency it has been busy deploying the new speedier service in key cities across the UK, including the likes of Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester. Other cities are set to follow in the coming months, while the network was also switched on in London last Friday.

The boost given by sign the new frequency is also said to speed up downloads, which could be up to 30 per cent faster in some cases, as long as users own 3G 900 compatible devices. That includes the likes of the Apple iPhone 4, the new iPad 2 and other UMTS/HSDPA 900MHz compatible smartphones and tablets.

Nigel Purdy, Chief Technology Officer for Telephonic O2 UK, said: “This 3G900 switch-on is the latest in a series of network enhancements for O2, and is a first for the UK and Telefónica. We’ve acted quickly to bring the benefits of 3G over 900MHz spectrum to our customers and we’re thrilled with the results. Quite simply, on O2’s network, more customers can use more data, and experience it quicker.”

“We invest the equivalent of over £1m a day, every day, in our network, which is used to deliver technologies in a way that goes beyond traditional cellular infrastructure; providing access to a new range of ‘smarter’ services. Our strategy is to intelligently layer our network to give our customers connection to 2G, 3G, HSPA+,LTE and Wi-Fi, seamlessly, simply and at speed.”