Broader network but better mobile business support?

The two telcos promise that their co-operation will mean that they can enhance service quality for customers in the longer term.

The theory is that by reducing network costs, both companies will have more cash to be able to enhance quality of service levels within the network footprint to improve customers' mobile experience as well as support the delivery of services such as mobile broadband to a greater number of customers across a wider coverage area.

But is this possible within the service level agreements (SLA)s of current mobile broadband  plans?

For example,  the division of Vodafone which manages the communications needs of multinational companies worldwide has launched a standard global Service Level Agreement (SLA) to guarantee performance levels .

The deal enables customers to be able to customise a standard free of charge offering for an additional cost to meet specific needs such enhanced service levels for key executives, business critical functions or mobile workers.

This all seems very sensible and indicative of Vodafone recognising the increasing importance of a mobilised workforce. "Our customers have told us that there is a need for consistent global service levels in the delivery of devices, performance reporting and incident handling," commented Walter Kok, Vodafone Global Enterprise's Director of Customer Service Operations.

Yet with a combined network, how possible is it to offer a continuous SLA when users may be, for example be using O2's network for part or all of their mobile experience?

O2 has long recognised that the service element of its mobile contracts is a key differentiator. In March 2009, O2 won a welter of awards for its mobile broadband offerings including best service. Without comparing and contrasting directly the relative strengths and weaknesses of each firm's networks, will a combined network remove (or conversely enhance actually) the differentiator?