3 sees sevenfold increase in data traffic
Still wants the Iphone, though
IN A RARE insight into how the introduction of mobile broadband has increased data across a mobile network, 3 UK revealed its traffic has shot up sevenfold in just six months.
The company produced figures which roughly correspond to the introduction of
the Skypephone in October right up to this week.
Such a massive increase normally puts a strain on the network.
"Sometimes the core network has been running at 102 per cent of capacity, at other times it's 30 per cent of capacity," Kevin Russell, CEO with 3 UK, explained.
3 had experienced real capacity issues in its Austrian and Swedish networks but not so far in the UK. However, Russell admitted that the company had encountered blockages in areas which it didn't expect.
Quizzed by the INQ over what 3 and T-Mobile are doing about backhaul capacity for their joint network, Russell responded:
"We're already working on it. There are some interesting new technological advances out there."
3 also showed some interesting coverage maps for how wide it expected its 3G coverage to be in 2009. The 2009 map doesn't seem to correspond with overlaying T-Mobile's network on 3's existing 3G network.
For example, the West of Wales suddenly appeared to be covered. The reason, Russell revealed, is that T-Mobile is upgrading its 2G base stations to 3G. By early 2009, the joint network should have doubled the number of existing 3 sites – up to 13,000.
Real data throughput speeds were also exposed by Kevin Russell. He revealed that with HSDPA, the theoretical top speed is 3.6 Mbit/s but users would actually get between 1 and 2 Mbit/s.
When 7.2 Mbit/s is introduced in Q3 2009, that data throughput should rise to 2-4 Mbit/s. However, when 14.4 Mbit/s comes onstream in Q3-Q4 2009, Russell says it will boost network capacity but not really increase average throughput speeds.
Asked if 3 would consider offering SIM-only 3G, Russell said, "Yes" – opening up the possibility of supplying 3G SIMs to laptops with embedded HSDPA.
Replying to a question as what he would like to see to boost his network's business, Russell said, "I'd like to have an Iphone," presumably meaning that he'd like to have the 3G version of the Iphone whenever that arrives.
Could 3 outbid O2 for the next Iphone, the INQ wonders? µ
See Also
3
sells out of USB modems
Qualcomm
unexpected winner with Skypephone
Comments
Rip Off - Official
How can they charge you for 3.6 Mb, when they admit you can only expect 1 - 2 Mb, and even that will be optomistic.Should we just queue up to be ripped off, or stand up for decent treatment.
The whole charging should be geared to you pay for what you use. It's not impossible to log your throughput multiplied by the Bandwith you achieved. This then forms the basis of your monthly payment. That way, if you get a really fast connection ( anything more than 2x a dialup ) you see that reflected in your monthly variable payment. If bandwidth falls below 1Mb/s then you pay only a token payment. This principle is not unlike the pay-per-view of Sky, the calls on BT, a train ticket, or Sausages from the Butcher. Why do OFCOM allow IPS's to make ridiculus claims ( 3.6 Mb/s ) when they publicly admit that no one gets it.