BT calls Vodafone’s 3G bluff (the rest of the story)
by Mark Mayne on 17 April 2001 14:23:00 GMT
Vodafone has claimed to have completed the UK’s first 3G voice call, although BT Wireless previously claimed the same accolade on March 19 this year.
The announcements from BT and Vodafone concern the placing of calls over trial networks, located in Slough and the Thames Valley respectively. However, bearing in mind that operators told investors that 3G would offer data speeds of 2Mbps, the placing of a voice call (currently possible via GSM) is hardly massive progress.
BT-owned Manx Telecom’s 3G network is currently under construction, and should be working within weeks, according to the company.
Mark Briers, project manager Manx Telecom, said: “We are currently connecting our 3G radio sites to the core network, and took delivery of 3G video handsets last Wednesday – I would say we are a bit further ahead than Vodafone here!”
The Manx 3G network is due to launch commercially by early May, while Vodafone has claimed that UK 3G rollout will occur by June 2002.
BTCellnet’s 3G supplier is Nortel, Manx is using Siemens, while Vodafone has gone for an Ericsson-built network.
Ericsson has reportedly announced further staff cuts of at least 6,000 jobs from its R&D, marketing, administration, and IT sections. This could bring Ericsson job losses this year to 15% of its previous workforce.
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