pinkteddyx64 wrote:But if three merge with O2 then they will end up with 2G networks on their hands, unless they choose to dispose of them after the merger which would of course be a step towards the death of 2G in the UK!
I dare you to ask on news and feedback on TSR for a new phone and tag Queen Cersei into the post!
Oh yes, because O2 have 2G...
Personally, if I was Three UK, and the merger went through, then this is what I would do:
1) Add 3G900 and 3G2100 to EVERY MAST (including MBNL masts and Cornerstone masts) - 3G900 for coverage, 3G2100 for capacity. Also add 4G1800 and 4G800 to every mast - 1800 for capacity, 800 for coverage.
1a) I would personally go for a split tactic with the 800 - some 800 to be at a lower power (i.e. kept within 3G900) and used for data only, for non VOLTE devices. The rest of the 800 goes at full power for VOLTE capable devices.
2) Increase the powers of 3G so that 3G900 matched the current coverage of 2G900
3) Refarm the spectrum so that O2's 2G1800 gets refarmed into Three 4G1800, and that O2's 2G900 gets refarmed to 3G900. However, keep the minimal possible 2G900 spectrum available for 2G.
4) Announce a 2G switch off date for the combined network. All users still on 2G are to migrate to 3G/4G compatible devices, as 2G coverage will be matched by 3G900.
5) Turn of 2G900 and refarm the last amount of spectrum to 3G900.
6) Complete - 2G switched off. 3G and 4G in use and at 99%+ coverage.