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UK regulators want to investigate Three and Vodafone's blockbuster merger
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is concerned that the merger Three and Vodafone announced last year could lead to "substantial lessening of competition" and might conduct an in-depth investigation into the deal.
Vodafone and Three plan to merge into the UK's largest mobile network
Three’s second attempt to join forces with a competitor still needs to clear major regulatory hurdles.
Three and EE will offer 4G and 5G access across London Underground
Three and EE have reached a deal with infrastructure provider BAI Communications, which is currently building out a network across the Tube.
UK carriers would appreciate you not setting cell towers on fire
The arson attacks against 5G masts in the UK have become serious enough that carriers are joining together to put a stop to the incidents. EE, O2, Three and Vodafone have issued a joint statement both urging people not to set fire to cellular masts, threaten engineers or spread conspiracy theories falsely linking 5G to COVID-19. As the companies reiterated, cell networks are critical in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
UK internet providers will lift data caps during COVID-19 pandemic
The UK is echoing others in lifting internet restrictions to keep people online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Major telecoms like BT/EE, Openreach and Virgin Media have struck an agreement that will remove "all" data caps on current landline broadband services. Mobile and fixed providers also have to offer "generous" new packages to help people stay connected (particularly the vulnerable), such as data boosts at lower prices and free calls.
UK plans to ban sales of locked mobile phones
The UK's communications regulator is proposing a rule to ban carriers from selling phones that are tied to their networks. O2, Sky, Three, Virgin Mobile and some smaller carriers already offer unlocked phones, but Ofcom wants the likes of BT Mobile/EE, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone to do the same. It's also seeking better clarity for customers about whether their handset is locked.
Three UK rolls out 5G home internet access in London
Yet another carrier is offering 5G in the UK -- although it's not on your phone. Three has launched 5G home broadband in parts of London, giving people "fibre-like speeds" (the carrier hasn't given specific numbers) without requiring a technician visit. Pricing is simple, too -- there's just one £35 ($43) plan that offers "truly unlimited" access on a one-year contract.
Huawei is helping all the UK's top carriers build their 5G networks
British carriers apparently aren't put off by US pressure to ditch Huawei for their 5G network deployments. The Guardian's sources understand that all four of the UK's largest wireless providers (EE, O2, Three and Vodafone) are all using Huawei to build their 5G networks. The Chinese firm is reportedly involved with six out of Vodafone's seven initial 5G cities, while it's also helping with "hundreds" of EE sites. O2 and Three have also awarded contracts to Huawei, according to the tipsters.
UK's largest mobile carrier will launch 5G in 16 cities next year
EE, the largest mobile carrier in the UK, is planning to launch its 5G network in 16 cities across the country in 2019. The carrier will flip the switch on the high-speed network in heavily trafficked areas in the UK's busiest cities. The initial launch will include London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham and Manchester.
Xiaomi's UK launch is an important step in going global
In some parts of the world, Xiaomi is a household name. And in others, it's almost unknown, discussed only in whispers amongst tech journalists and enthusiasts. The Chinese company launched its first smartphone seven years ago, and since then it's grown into a sprawling electronics leviathan. It established itself in many countries during this time, but steered mostly clear of others. This week, however, Xiaomi formally set up shop in the UK. And by doing so, it took its next serious step towards the ultimate goal of world domination.
Three expands ‘Feel at Home’ roaming to 11 more destinations
Three has always been ahead of the pack when it comes to international roaming; it abolished charges in Europe well before the European Union made it law last June. The network has also expanded its "Feel at Home" program to other locations outside of the continent, including Australia, Brazil and the US. Today, it's adding another 11 to the roster: Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Vietnam and Mayotte. That brings the total number of destinations to 71, well beyond its UK rivals. Dave Dyson, CEO of Three, says it's his "ambition" to offer "100 percent free roaming worldwide."
GAME hooks up with Three to sell more smartphones
GAME is trying everything to turn its struggling retail business around. Today, the company announced a partnership with Three that will expand its in-store phone offerings. A Three-branded "gondola" will be trialed in 15 London stores, pushing smartphones, SIM cards, MiFi devices and pay-as-you-go top-ups. GAME sells handsets already but typically these are trade-ins rather than fresh devices. Clearly, this is an attempt to broaden the company's wares and reverse its falling revenue, which dropped from £813 million to £783 million in the 12 month period leading up to July.
Razer Phone leak suggests it's made for the gamer faithful
We knew that Razer was working on a high-end gaming smartphone, but a leak from one of its partners shows just how powerful it might be. According to a (since deleted) page from a UK mobile plan reseller called 3G, the Razer Phone will have a 5.7-inch, 120Hz IGZO display, Dolby Atmos sound with dual front speakers and amps, a dual 12- and 13-megapixel wide angle/zoom camera, 4,000mAh battery and 8GB of RAM. Adding credibility to the leak is the fact that 3G is a retail partner with UK operator Three, which recently announced an "exciting global strategic alliance" with Razer.
Three is adding 'free' Apple Music data to Go Binge plans
Zero-rated services, it seems, are here to stay. Almost every major UK network has revealed its own take on the concept, offering "free" data when you use specific apps on your phone. Three's version, Go Binge, launched in July with a handful of partners including Netflix, Deezer and SoundCloud. Today, to coincide with the launch of the iPhone X, the company has announced a new addition: Apple Music. The service joins the Go Binge family on November 27th and will be eligible for customers with an "advanced" contract or SIM-only plan with at least 4GB of data.
Three finally takes Ofcom to court over 5G spectrum auction
Three has followed through on its threat to take Ofcom to court. The mobile network operator, owned by Hutchison Whampoa, is unhappy with the planned rules for the next spectrum auction. It believes they're too gentle and will allow BT, EE and Vodafone to increase their dominance of UK airwaves, stifling competition in the process. "We confirm that we have filed a judicial review before the UK courts in relation to the competition measures that will apply in the upcoming spectrum auction," a Three spokesperson told Engadget. "It is absolutely vital that the regulator gets this auction right for the long-term benefit of all consumers."
Three's Smarty network buys back your unused data each month
It's been a while since we've seen a new mobile provider dive into the saturated UK market, but like buses, today it seems that fresh options are arriving all at once. Alright, so technically the new players are sub-brands of existing networks, with Vodafone announcing Voxi, and Three, Smarty. Naturally, both providers have a hook to differentiate them from every other mobile product out there at the moment. Voxi is offering zero-rated, "free" data for all manner of social media and chat apps, while Smarty effectively buys back the data you don't use each month and refunds that cost on your next bill.
EE says it'll also sue Ofcom to mould 5G spectrum auction as it sees fit
It seems a couple of UK carriers would rather tie the impending 5G spectrum auction up in litigation than let any of their competitors get their own way. Following in the footsteps of Three, EE's now threatening its own legal challenge against Ofcom in an attempt to get the regulator to release more spectrum earmarked for 5G services this time around, rather than holding separate auctions for different slices of the airwaves further down the road.
Three will sue to stop EE and Vodafone dominating connectivity
Three's dissatisfaction with how Ofcom plans to operate the upcoming 4G and 5G spectrum auction has finally gone beyond an exhausting war of words. The carrier has long threatened to take legal action against the UK telecoms regulator, should it not address what Three believes to be an anticompetitive set of rules to guide the auction. The Telegraph reports that Three has hand-delivered a letter to Ofcom, notifying the regulator of its intent to seek a judicial review. The letter is just another threat in and of itself, but it signifies the carrier is indeed preparing to take the matter to court.
Three’s ‘Go Binge’ plans offer ‘free’ data for Netflix streaming
To better compete with EE, Vodafone and O2, Three is introducing a zero-rating scheme in the UK. The network operator has teamed up with Netflix, TVPlayer, Deezer and SoundCloud to offer inclusive streaming with select mobile contracts. So when you watch or listen to these services on the go, they won't count towards your monthly data cap. The move, while contentious for net neutrality advocates, will no doubt be welcomed by consumers. There is, however, a pretty big catch: to take advantage of the new perk, you'll need to upgrade to a "Go Binge" plan, which Three admits will be slightly more expensive than your current, equivalent contract.
Three fined £1.9 million for weak 999 call handling system
As Britain's telecoms regulator, Ofcom's responsibilities include fining providers for serious service blunders. Three is the latest company to be hit with one of Ofcom's invoices, having been fined £1,890,000 today for failing to appropriately protect customer access to emergency services.
