All 5 UK mobile operators to run on just 2 networks!

www.WirelessFederation.com/news : Vodafone and O2 plan to pool their networks in the biggest shake-up of Britain’s mobile phone industry, according to The Guardian.

While Vodafone still has a deal with Orange, it hopes to link up with T-Mobile and 3, for whom it already provides 2G mobile coverage.

Vodafone’s existing partner, Orange, apparently plans to ask T-Mobile and 3 for permission to join their network sharing venture (announced a year ago) in a widespread re-organisation that could leave the UK with its five biggest mobile phone operators using just two networks.

This move would allow all 5 telcos to cut costs considerably and potentially reduce the 51,000 base stations across the country by eliminating duplication. This could lead to cheaper calls and internet services for british consumers, as long as the benefits of reduced costs are passed on to the consumers.

Interestingly, for all five mobile phone companies, the UK is their least profitable European region, and for T-Mobile it is a loss-maker.

Recessionary times bring along interesting partnerships.

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