Three Targets 98 Percent 4G Coverage In Wales

Three is to extend 4G coverage in Wales to 98 percent of the population by 2017 as the operator rolls out its 800MHz spectrum across the country.

Low frequencies like 800MHz do not offer as much capacity as higher bands like 2.6GHz, but do afford a greater range, making them ideal for tackling rural notspots.

Three, whose parent company Hutchison Whampoa is in the process of taking over O2, says once the upgrade work is completed, 99 percent of the Welsh population will be covered by the companies 3G or 4G networks.

Three Welsh 4G

“Customers in Wales already benefit from Three’s 3G network which provides a high quality and reliable experience to our customers,” said Justin Bass, director of legal marketing consumer regulatory and external affairs at the operator.

“The addition of 4G on new low frequency spectrum will further improve connectivity across Wales and once complete, 98 percent of the Welsh population will enjoy an even better experience on our network.”

All four major operators have committed to invest a combined £5 billion in their respective network infrastructures to eliminate areas of poor coverage following intervention from the government. Each operator will be required to offer at least voice and text services to 90 percent of the UK’s land mass while full coverage will increase from 69 percent to 85 percent by 2017.

Rival Vodafone says it expects 94 percent of the Welsh population to receive 3G and 4G once its current investment plan for the country is completed, claiming to have already connected 400 communities to LTE.

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