Three UK 4G – 3m customers, 48% coverage

Three UK have revealed that their superfast 4G network is now available to 48% of the UK population with 3.1 million of their customers are now using the next-generation network. Three was the last network to roll out 4G ten months ago and despite the 48% coverage, they are still behind EE (78%), O2 and Vodafone (51%).

Three CEO Dave Dyson said:

“The rollout of new capacity is progressing well and, most importantly for me, customer satisfaction is higher than ever. With an advanced 3G network already in place all our customers are able to benefit from a reliable and high performing network.

“The addition of low frequency spectrum is just one part of our plans to expand Three’s coverage and bring our network to more people in more places in 2015.”

Three’s 4G expansion plans are certainly ambitious as despite being the last to roll out the service, they hope to offer 4G services to 98% of the UK population by the end of 2015 (year ahead of Ofcom’s proposed deadline). In order to meet these targets, the company will use their 800 MHz spectrum to provide coverage in less dense areas and could yet consider the acquisition of one of its rivals to boost its market share and service revenues.

Both EE and O2 are currently up for grabs but Hutchinson Whampoa-owned Three will need to compete with Vodafone and BT with the former rumoured to be interested and the latter confirmed to be considering bids for either EE or O2. A deal with EE would make the most sense for Three as the company’s already work together and share 4G masts and infrastructure.