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Everything Everywhere to spend £1.5bn on network upgrades
The networks of Orange and T-Mobile are set to be enhanced with £1.5 billion of investment from Everything Everywhere.
The communications company, which operates the Orange and T-Mobile brands, explained the amount it is set to splash out on its infrastructure next year will represent double-digit growth on the total invested throughout 2011.
It is looking to install equipment that offers faster, wider and more reliable mobile broadband coverage that can be easily upgraded to offer 4G services when additional spectrum becomes available in the future.
Ofcom, the UK's telecoms industry watchdog, had initially intended to hold an auction of spectrum to be used for 4G during the first quarter of 2012, but this was delayed and is now not expected to take place until the end of next year.
Everything Everywhere revealed "significant investments" are also being made in its mobile backhaul, which connects individual cell sites and plays a crucial role in delivering faster mobile broadband speeds to customers.
BT Wholesale has linked up with the company for a live trial of 4G, with Everything Everywhere claiming the pilot scheme has illustrated that the technology can bring broadband to rural communities in a cost-effective manner.
Since launching in September, the trial has achieved satisfaction rates of 90 per cent.
The infrastructure investment will also involve greater integration of the Orange and T-Mobile networks in a move that Everything Everywhere claims will provide customers of both brands with the broadest 3G mobile broadband coverage in the UK.
Fotis Karonis, the network operator's chief technology officer, commented: "Everything Everywhere is committed to building a world-class 4G network for Britain.
"We are devoting huge resources - including our 15,000 [strong] workforce and significant investments in technology - and are already trialling, learning and laying the groundwork so that we are prepared to introduce 4G services as soon as it's feasible."