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News 

3G usage continues to fall on EE’s network, falling to a record low this summer 

EE has confirmed this week that its nationwide 3G switch off will begin in January 2024 and aims to complete it by March

The operator said that beginning in July this year, it had conducted successful trials in Warrington, Cheshire, where less than 5% of customers use any 3G data. 

The shutdown of the 3G network will free up spectrum which can then be used to improve the coverage and speed of 4G and 5G networks. 

On EE’s network, 3G makes up just 0.6% of all downloaded UK data, and 7% of all voice traffic, which is a 73% decrease since January 2020. 

“3G represents around 35% of our mobile network’s total power consumption – massively outweighing its usage which is falling all the time. Retiring the technology is one of the best steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint, as modern networks like 4G and 5G are not only faster and more reliable for customers but also up to ten times more efficient,” said Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer in a statement. 

“In fact, we estimate that switching off our 3G network across the UK will save the equivalent amount of energy needed to fully charge up to four billion smartphones, making it better for the planet as well as our customers”. 

Under government guidance, all UK mobile operators have committed to phasing out their 2G and 3G networks by 2033 at the latest. 

Hear from Howard Watson, Chief Security & Networks Officer at BT at this week’s Connected Britain – get last minute tickets now! 

Also in the news:
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Connected Britain 2023: Which tracks are right for me?
KKR to acquire $800m stake in Singtel’s data centre business 

Press Release

Ericsson is set to receive a five-year funding from Germany’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action for its European Microelectronics and Communication Technologies for 6G (EMCT) project. This project aims to drive semiconductor technology advancements and foundation needed to develop energy-efficient and sustainable microelectronics and communication technologies for 6G Massive MIMO radios together with partners in Europe.

Ericsson Antenna Technology Germany GmbH will lead the development of this project at the Rosenheim R&D site in Germany.

The project is part of the European Union’s Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies (IPCEI-ME/CT) initiative. This initiative was jointly prepared by 14 EU member states and will provide up to EUR 8.1 billion in public funding to support research and development projects across the whole ecosystem of microelectronics and communication technologies – from materials and tools to the chip design and manufacturing processes. This partner collaboration will contribute to a stronger ecosystem and the evolution of semiconductor technologies in Europe.

The IPCEI procedures allow for public-sector funding to be granted at the national level for projects that significantly contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the European industrial sector. Ericsson is among 56 companies that will undertake 68 projects in total as part of IPCEI-ME/CT.

The IPCEI ME/CT projects also aim to enable digital and green transformation by creating innovative microelectronics and communication solutions and developing energy-efficient and resource-saving electronic systems and manufacturing methods.

Ericsson’s project scope is to extend the current radio microelectronics development by establishing early technology development of 6G radio microelectronics in co-operation with European partners. Focus is on early technology development off 6G Massive MIMO radios, which will strengthen the European semiconductor ecosystem and help complete a European value chain in this vital field of European interest.

Freddie Södergren, Head of Technology and Strategy, Ericsson Networks, says: “The introduction of the 5G mobile communications standard already opened up a multitude of new applications beyond voice and mobile data. Upcoming 6G mobile networks need to meet the ever-increasing demand for communication in the areas of human-to-human, human-to-machine, and machine-to-machine in a highly energy-efficient way.”

“We’re excited to gain this opportunity, which allows us to pave the way for developing world-leading, highly efficient Massive MIMO radios by completing the value chain in microelectronics and communication technologies,” adds Södergren. “Ericsson’s R&D site in Rosenheim plays an important role in building competencies in microelectronics for Massive MIMO radios and the semiconductor industry in Germany.”

Federal Minister Robert Habeck: “As a key technology, microelectronics plays a central role in climate protection, energy efficiency and economic growth. Independent access to microelectronics components is more important than ever for the transformation of the economy and for the security of supply of Germany and Europe.”

Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor of Germany and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action hosted the official Letter of Intent ceremony in Berlin where participating companies were invited to present their projects. Ericsson was represented by Markus Feld, Managing Director of Ericsson Antenna Technology Germany GmbH.

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Press Release

Residents and businesses in the southern Lake District are set to benefit from improved 4G mobile coverage following the upgrade of two EE masts

The Lake District is the most visited national park in the UK, with upwards of 15 million visitors every year. However, it is also an area that has previously been poorly served in terms of mobile coverage.

The EE mobile masts have been upgraded this summer as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN)*, a £1 billion initiative to extend 4G connectivity to rural communities, with the aim to cover 95 percent of the UK’s geography by the end of 2025.

One of the upgraded masts is located between Coniston Water and Windermere, bringing coverage to locations including Hay Bridge Nature Reserve, Rusland and parts of Grizedale Forest.  The other is to the southeast of Windermere Lake, providing improved coverage to rural areas including Cartmel Fell, Whitbarrow National Nature Reserve and down towards the River Kent estuary and Milnthorpe – including a large section of the A590.

To balance the desire for enhanced mobile connectivity in rural communities with the need to respect the natural landscape, both masts are situated in non-intrusive areas while providing maximum benefit.

These upgrades come at an important time for countryside communities as the UK’s mobile providers prepare to retire 3G – and later 2G – networks. 4G connectivity offers remote communities the biggest and most reliable network of any current mobile technology in the UK.

Welcoming the news, Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: “This improved connectivity can deliver a big boost to rural communities like ours, supporting residents, local businesses and visitors with faster 4G mobile internet access and high-quality, reliable calling.

“The Lake District is one of the most iconic parts of the British countryside, so it is great to see remote areas getting the infrastructure they need to thrive in the digital age.”

The new connectivity has also been welcomed by a farming leader in the region, highlighting how important good 4G mobile coverage has become to farm businesses and for helping to improve safety in remote areas.

NFU Cumbria County chairman Ian Bowness, who farms at Wigton, said: “We welcome this significant investment as it will help some of our farm businesses who have historically struggled with connectivity issues. Submitting VAT returns, GPS on tractors, talking to customers and much more, all rely on strong connectivity, and consistent access to the internet is needed for farmers so they can comply with UK regulations and operate their businesses efficiently.

“Mobile signal is also critically important for health and safety, in an industry where farmers often need to work in remote areas on their own. The NFU will continue to campaign for investment in the country’s digital technology infrastructure, which is key to productive farming businesses.”

The SRN programme aims to use mast-sharing on existing sites in rural areas where some, but not all mobile networks, have coverage. It will also develop new-shared masts to connect areas that currently have no coverage at all.

Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, said: “The Lake District is iconic for its natural beauty and its flourishing rural communities. These new 4G upgrades will not only mean residents will be able to stay connected to the people and things they love most, but businesses and community groups can use the network to offer new services and experiences to the millions of tourists who visit every year.

“Having upgraded more than 1,500 rural locations so far under the Shared Rural Network programme, EE is delivering the far-reaching connectivity that rural communities rely on across the UK.”

Hear from Howard Watson, Chief Security & Networks Officer at BT at this week’s Connected Britain – get last minute tickets now!

Also in the news:
SK Telecom and Netflix settle network usage dispute through new partnership
Connected Britain 2023: Which tracks are right for me?
KKR to acquire $800m stake in Singtel’s data centre business

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