With the advancements being made in technology in the 21st century, it was only time before mobile users got faster mobile broadband. It seems that 3G has finally been overtaken by faster 4G. O2 is a giant telecommunications company that has jumped onto the 4G bandwagon and released London’s first 4G mobile broadband network.
O2
O2 is a company that provides telecommunications, financial and internet services to residents of the United Kingdom. Formed in 1985, this company has grown into the United Kingdom’s second largest telecommunications provider. In fact, it was 02 (formerly BT Cellnet) that released the first commercially available general packet radio service (GPRS).
4G (LTE)
4G is the latest advancement in wireless cellular technology. As the name states, it is the fourth generation or iteration of the technology. Also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE), 4G is the fastest form of mobile internet available today. However, unlike 3G, this type of internet is not currently readily available. As more companies launch their 4G services, this technology will become more affordable.
Quite interestingly, the speed of 4G can be compared to landline broadband connections. On O2’s 4G network, you can download a 1GB file within 2 minutes. This states that 4G offers a download speed of almost 8.5 Mbps; a speed very close to that of normal broadband. This means that cheap high speed internet is now a reality rather than a dream.
The Trial Run
London is the center of O2’s 4G trial run. Customers can enjoy the superfast 4G internet until June of this year. This trial will aid in O2’s evaluation of their current equipment. This evaluation will show how O2 as performed and whether it is ready to expand to, venue owners and businesses. The current trial uses 25 mobile sites, spread across the city, to cover a 40 square kilometer area. The coverage area spans from Hyde Park to Greenwich with sites in strategic locations.
Businesses will be able to use the cheap high speed internet using Samsung B3730 dongles, 4G-capable handsets and Wi-Fi hotspots. However, O2 is not alone in this amazing venture. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, as well as John Lewis and many other businesses, are taking part in this upgrade. This will ensure that businesses have the fastest wireless internet connection available to them.
Their Efforts need you
However, this system is not complete yet. O2 requires the feedback of its customers and technology enthusiasts. They need their help to improve this technology. It has even enlisted the help of Gizmodo UK to select a group of customers who will receive a three-month trial of O2’s amazing cellular 4G network. This group of people, chosen from Gizmodo UK’s 4G launch party, will be able to provide specific feedback that will help enhance this service. This feedback will be entered directly into Gizmodo’s website.
Until the trial run ends, O2 will be vigilantly collecting data and statistics. Combined with the feedback from the lucky Gizmodo customers, O2 will be able to plan their next step. This information will tell O2 where it needs to direct its attention and where it’s cheap high speed internet is most useful. This will be after the auction of Ofcom 4G spectrum next year.
Even if you do not have O2’s 4G internet connection, you can always post some feedback if you like. The biggest question that O2 has at this moment is what their users want most with their internet. Options provided include video streaming, music, applications and downloads.
Thoughts of the Masses
So far, O2’s 4G internet connection has won the hearts and minds of the people. If the trial run ends successfully, O2 will most likely reduced prices on its already cheap high speed internet. However, only time will tell what becomes of the 4G connection. It seems that we will have to wait for the trial period to end in order to see the future of O2’s 4G connection.
If you need faster mobile broadband, try O2’s superfast 4G internet connection. With your help, this cheap high speed internet can become more affordable than ever. If anything, it will help O2 make the connection more stable than ever.
Author Bio:
The above article is composed and edited by Donna B. She is associated with many social media and technology communities and is a freelance writer and adviser. In her free time she writes articles related to dongle, mobile broadband deals, internet technology, mobile applications etc.
