EU steps in to stop UK 3G sharing

date: June 9, 2001

The European Union on Friday shown concerned at moves by the six UK 3G license holders TIW (Hutchison 3G), Vodafone, Orange, One2One and BT Cellnet to share 3G networks and is preparing to investigate individual cases and to fine companies for an unlimited sum.

A spokesman from the EU said: "We will look at the issues case by case with our lawyers. When rival companies join forces, it can lead to a restriction on competition."

Oftel, Britain's telecoms regulator, which in May relaxed its law on mast sharing said if Brussels did intervene, it would seriously delay the roll-out of 3G services planned for early next year.

It is estimated that 45,000 network masts will be needed to build to support the high-speed 3G services. However, new UK planning regulations and protests of new masts by people living near-by for feared of cancer have threatened to delay the rollout. This left no choice for the operators but forced the collaboration between the license holders.

The UK government will be forced to relax environmental planning regulations to help the operators if Brussels steps in else the UK will have no legal areas for new network masks.

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