It appears certain that mobile phone network operator O2, who wholly own Be Broadband, plan on releasing a converged mobile/broadband service later this year – we just don’t know exactly when.
The firm have been somewhat sketchy on the details, although Matthew Key, chief executive officer of O2 UK has in the past stated that they “don’t think of broadband as just something to throw in for free. Proper broadband takes continual innovation and focus.”
With consumers becoming increasingly wary of converged services offering ‘free’ broadband, O2’s strategy if holding its cards close to its chest seems wise, for now. Key said: “Customers are rebelling against free broadband. They associate free with substandard.”
As of February this year, Be Broadband - which currently offers the fastest connections speed in the market - unbundled equipment in its 500th exchange, increasing their coverage of the country to just over a third. Key said at the time that “We are working at unbundling 200 more exchanges by June and we are already testing new technologies that will enhance the network and our speed.”
Be Broadband said it is on target to unbundle in 833 exchanges by the end of the summer, which will then mean that their network footprint will cover over 50% of the population of the UK.
If O2 decide to unveil a converged service when this target is achieved, it will put them somewhat behind Virgin Media (whose cable network currently covers 80% of the UK) and Sky, who have now unbundled in close to 900 exchanges. But faster speeds and an emphasis on a better quality of service may mean that O2/Be may emerge as a prominent player on the market by the end of the summer.
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