Orange 3G Launch Dates

[Guest mcwarre]

"It is anticipated that full commercial trials of Orange 3G services will begin later this year in the UK, with commercial launch expected around mid-2004. Orange UK expects to offer 3G population coverage of over 40% at UK launch in ten major cities, the major rail routes and airports. "

More details available here

[Guest Brody]

Look forward to it, and i'll say it again, wont it be great to have a 3G Smartphone ;)

[Guest chucky.egg]

The ONLY thing I want 3G for is high-speed data, but I've heard that speeds may only be 64kbps :roll:

I think that's why the EDGE debate has come up again recently

[Guest pete.major]

Three claims to have faster data rates than that...

Too bad their service is a "walled garden" though - it's pretty much useless. All I can say is please Orange, don't go down that path!

[Guest Monolithix [MVP]]

The NEC handsets on 3 are capable of pulling 384kbit down, but only transmit at 64kbits. Kinda cripples itself before it's even started...

[Guest chucky.egg]

The NEC handsets on 3 are capable of pulling 384kbit down, but only transmit at 64kbits.  Kinda cripples itself before it's even started...

Have you actually tried that Mono?

I'd heard (I cant remember where, but semi-reliable source) that the rates people actually get were not that high - and it wasnt just down to environmental factors etc.

If they're in a "walled garden" is there any way to actually measure the speed? I used to use an Italian site for measuring GPRS speeds

[Guest Scarfman007]

The only way to test would be if 3 themselves put up a site that let users test their download speeds. There really isn't any point to this, so there's no real way to measure the speed.

Heard from a semi-reliable source that 3 are currently conducting internal trials of full internet access which are going well and we should expect to see it around Christmas time. A lot better than mid-2004!

If they crack the app-protection on the Motorola A920 (currently is in same situation as SPV initially was, so don't be sceptical!), which I'm hoping for soon, and have full internet access at 3G speeds I know I for one will be changing to the A920 ;) !

Scarfman

[Guest amo]

The official Orange rep at the MoDaCo summer meet did hint that when Orange do decide the their third generation services are ready for launch that the service wouldn't be walled. Can't remember the exact quote but I can remember him talking about it.