The UK's oldest mobile network operators,
Vodafone
and O2, are in talks that
might lead to them sharing networks, the Financial Times
reported this morning.
An O2 spokesman said the company was expecting to make an
announcement on Monday.
The FT reported that the two mobile network operators were in
advanced talks to share their networks to save costs. The two are
also in negotiations with the government to give up some of the
900Mhz spectrum they own. This would allow others to extend long
distance broadband access to more people, especially in rural
areas.
However, Vodafone already shares sites, but not equipment, with
France Telecom's Orange. Orange spokesmen said the market "could
see us open up additional bilateral or multilateral partnerships
with other operators". The FT suggested this meant tying up a
sharing deal with 3 and T-Mobile.
Network sharing could become the new fashion as the UK moves to
implement the aims of the government's Digital Britain report,
expected from the end of May. Ofcom is
already consulting on whether it should grant BT's Openreach
subsidiary, which wholesales BT's network capacity, direct access
to the BT network.
A Vodafone spokesman declined to confirm the report. He said,
"We regularly review our plans to ensure Vodafone UK is best placed
to take advantage of network sharing schemes now and in the future.
We will provide any relevant updates as appropriate."