O2 launches business telecoms trial in London

15/11/2011

Businesses and consumers across the capital are taking part in a nine-month trial of a next-generation mobile data service.

O2's Long Term Evolution (LTE) network will allow businesses to download data faster than 3G and improve remote working systems.

Participants in the trial have been given broadband dongles for their computers, allowing them access to the 2.6GHz spectrum, which claims to generate download speeds of up to 50 megabits per second.

Ronan Dunne, chief executive of Tefefonica UK, which runs O2, stated: "Today's launch of the UK's first 4G London trial network demonstrates our commitment to delivering 4G to our customers at the earliest opportunity.

"The work we are doing now will lay the foundations for our commercial 4G network when it launches in the UK."

The Financial Times also reported that Telefonica is piloting a business telecoms scheme designed to improve the control of businesses over how personal data can be used in activities such as marketing and financial services.

O2 aims to institute a discretionary approach to the use of data that allows customers to select the level of involvement by allowing incremental increases or decreases.

Both schemes have been launched amidst growing concerns over how much information should be used for business purposes and political controversy over 4G airwave telecom disputes.

Earlier this month, MPs urged operators to stop squabbling over how 4G airwaves should be divided, after Ofcom delayed the auction of the fourth generation spectrum following threats of legal action by O2.

The telecoms company claimed that Ofcom was planning to grant competitors state aid.

As a result of the threat, many have blamed O2 for delaying the introduction of 4G in the UK.

However, Mr Dunne told the Telegraph that these allegations are incorrect, as Ofcom is obliged by the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 to undertake procedural steps before holding an auction and these have been no way delayed by disputes.

Once introduced in the UK in 2013, the fourth generation platform is expected to improve the efficiency and speed of business data interchange.

Posted by Emma Noble