Telecommunications in the United Kingdom

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Telecommunications in the United Kingdom have evolved from the early days of the telegraph to modern broadband and mobile phone networks with Internet services. [1]

Contents

History

Company logo on porch of 17 & 19 Newhall Street, Birmingham (former Central exchange) Bell Edison logo.jpg
Company logo on porch of 17 & 19 Newhall Street, Birmingham (former Central exchange)

National Telephone Company (NTC) was a British telephone company from 1881 until 1911, which brought together smaller local companies in the early years of the telephone. Under the Telephone Transfer Act 1911 it was taken over by the General Post Office (GPO) in 1912.[ citation needed ]

Until 1982, the main civil telecommunications system in the UK was a state monopoly known (since reorganisation in 1969) as Post Office Telecommunications. Broadcasting of radio and television was a duopoly of the BBC and Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA): these two organisations controlled all broadcast services, and directly owned and operated the broadcast transmitter sites. Mobile phone and Internet services did not then exist. The civil telecoms monopoly ended when Mercury Communications arrived in 1983. The Post Office system evolved into British Telecom and was privatised in 1984.[ citation needed ] Broadcast transmitters, which belonged to the BBC and IBA, were privatised during the 1990s and now belong to Babcock International and Arqiva.[ citation needed ]

British Rail Telecommunications was created in 1992 by British Rail (BR). It was the largest private telecoms network in Britain, consisting of 17,000 route kilometres of fibre optic and copper cable which connected every major city and town in the country and provided links to continental Europe through the Channel Tunnel. [2] BR also operated its own national trunked radio network providing dedicated train-to-shore mobile communications, and in the early 1980s BR helped establish Mercury Communications', now C&WC, core infrastructure by laying a resilient 'figure-of-eight' fibre optic network alongside Britain's railway lines, spanning London, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.

Regulation of communications has changed many times during the same period, and most of the bodies have been merged into Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. [3]

Infrastructure

Domestic trunk infrastructure

All communications trunks are now digital. Most are carried via national optical fibre networks. There are several companies with national fibre networks, including BT, Level 3 Communications, Virgin Media, Cable & Wireless, Easynet and Thus. Microwave links are used up to the 155  Mbit/s level, but are seldom cost-effective at higher bit rates.[ citation needed ]

International trunks

The UK is a focal point for many of the world's submarine communications cables, which are now mostly digital optical fibre cables. There are many satellite links too, but these now provide a relatively small part of the international bandwidth.[ citation needed ]

Broadcast transmission

Most broadcasting organisations, BBC and commercial, lease transmission facilities from one or more of the transmission companies. The main exception is the smaller local radio stations, some of which find it more cost-effective to provide their own.[ citation needed ]

Fixed phone lines

BT is still the main provider of fixed telephone lines, both POTS and ISDN, and it has a universal service obligation, although companies can now contract Openreach to install a phone line on their behalf, rather than telling the customer to get BT to install it, then transfer over.[ citation needed ]

Virgin Media is the second biggest player in the residential telephone line market.[ citation needed ] Other companies provide fixed telephone lines too, but mainly to large companies in the major cities. There are many other providers who sell fixed telephone services carried over BT lines. They have no network infrastructure of their own.[ citation needed ]

Digital switchover

The UK copper-cable analogue landline network is due to be terminated in 2025. The voice over IP replacement is branded as "Digital Voice" in the UK. "Digital Voice" handsets must be connected to a broadband router, rather than the old telephone sockets. Telephone subscribers without broadband connection will be supplied with the necessary equipment. [4]

Mobile phone networks

Timeline
Vodafone
Cellnet
BT Cellnet
O2
Mercury One2One
One2One
T-Mobile
Orange
Everything Everywhere
EE
Three
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1985
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1986
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1987
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1988
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1989
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1990
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1991
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1992
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1993
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1994
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1995
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1996
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1997
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1998
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1999
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2009
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2010
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2011
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2012
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2013
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2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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2021
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2022

First generation networks

Both companies ran ETACS analogue mobile phone networks.

First and second generation networks

  • O2 – runs a GSM-900 network, owned by Telefónica.
  • Vodafone – runs a GSM-900 network.
  • EE – runs a GSM-1800 network. Formerly this was two separate companies: Orange and T-Mobile, which was originally called One-2-One.

Third generation networks

The four 2G companies all won 3G licences in a competitive auction, as did a new entrant known as Hutchison 3G, which branded its network as 3. They have now rolled out their networks. Hutchison 3G does not operate a 2G network, previously having agreements with Orange and O2 to allow roaming on their 2G networks.[ citation needed ]

The third generation stems from technological improvements and is in essence an improvement of the available bandwidth, enabling new services to be provided to customers. Such services include streaming of live radio or video, video calls and live TV.[ citation needed ]

Fourth generation networks

Long-term evolution (LTE) services are currently being rolled out. EE launched their 4G network in October 2012, using part of their existing 1800 MHz spectrum. O2 and Vodafone will use the 800 MHz band with Vodafone also using the 2600 MHz band for their services. O2 launched its 4G network on 29 August 2013, initially in London, Leeds and Bradford with a further 13 cities added by the end of 2013. [5] Vodafone commenced its 4G services on 29 August 2013, initially in London with 12 more cities to be added by the end of 2013. [6] 3 commenced LTE services in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Reading, Wolverhampton and the Black country in December 2013 albeit with a limited number of subscribers to evaluate its implementation. Full rollout to remaining subscribers commenced on 5 February 2014 on a phased basis via a silent SIM update. [7] A 50 further cities and over 200 towns are scheduled to receive LTE coverage by the end of 2014. [8] [9] [10] As a condition of acquiring part of EE's 1800 MHz spectrum for 4G use, 3 were unable to use it until October 2013. [11] [12]

Fifth generation networks

Numbers

When mobile cellular networks were first rolled out, there were various numbers beginning 03 through 09 in use, these being interspersed between the various existing geographic area codes. As part of the Big Number Change, all mobile (as well as pager and personal) numbers were brought together under the 07 range. The table below shows the initial ranges of numbers that were allocated as part of the new 07 range, which began on 30 September 1999. [13]

Original 07- mobile number allocations (by 30 September 1999)
O2

(formerly Cellnet)

VodafoneEE

(formerly Orange and One2One)

07701 07702 07703 07710 07711 07712 07713 07714 07715 07719 07730 07740 07750

07801 07802 07803 07808 07809 07850 07860 07885 07889

07721 07741 07747 07760 07767 07768 07769 07770 07771 07774 07775 07776 07778 07780 07785 07787 07788 07798

07818 07831 07833 07836 07867 07879 07880 07881 07887 07899 07901 07979

07909 07990

07773 07779 07790

07800

07966 07967 07968 07971 07973 07974 07976 07977 07980 07989

Services

Telephones

Fixed telephones

In the UK, there were 35 million (2002) mainline telephones.

The telephone service in the United Kingdom was originally provided by private companies and local city councils, but by 1912–13 [14] all except the telephone service of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire and Guernsey had been bought out by the General Post Office. Post Office Telephones also operated telephone services in Jersey and the Isle of Man until 1969 when the islands took over responsibility for their own postal and telephone services.

Post Office Telephones was reorganised in 1980–81 [15] as British Telecommunications ( British Telecom , or BT), and was the first nationalised industry to be privatised by the Conservative government. The Hull Telephone Department was itself sold by Hull City Council as Kingston Communications in the late 1990s and celebrated its centenary in 2004. [16]

Mobile telephones

There are more mobile phones than people in the UK. In 2011 there were 82 million subscriptions in the UK. [17] There were 76 million in 2008 [18] and 55 million in January 2005.

Each of the main network operators sells mobile phone services to the public. In addition, companies such as Virgin Mobile UK, Tesco Mobile and Global act as mobile virtual network operators, using the infrastructure of other companies.[ citation needed ]

Numbering

There is a set numbering plan for phone numbers within the United Kingdom, which is regulated by the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which replaced the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) in 2003. Each number consists of an area code – one for each of the large towns and cities and their surroundings – and a subscriber number – the individual number. Mobile IMSI is the actual number assigned to it the mobile telephone number, and provided with individual license to the MNOs.[ citation needed ]

Television and radio broadcasting

Radio

In 1998, there were 663 radio broadcast stations: 219 on AM, 431 on FM and 3 on shortwave. There were 84.5 million radio receiver sets (1997). Today[ when? ] there are around 600 licensed radio stations in the UK.[ citation needed ]

Television

In 1997, there were 30.5 million households with television sets.[ citation needed ] Analogue television broadcasts ceased in the UK in 2012, replaced by the Digital Terrestrial Service Freeview which operates via the DVB-T and DVB-T2 (for HD broadcasts) standards. Digital Satellite is provided by BSkyB (subscription and free services) and Freesat (free-to-air services only) from services at 28.2° East. Digital cable is primarily provided by Virgin Media.[ citation needed ]

Internet

The country code top-level domain for United Kingdom web pages is .uk . Nominet UK is the .uk. Network Information Centre and second-level domains must be used.

At the end of 2004, 52% of households (12.6 million) were reported to have access to the internet (Source: Office for National Statistics Omnibus Survey). broadband connections accounted for 50.7% of all internet connections in July 2005, [19] with one broadband connection being created every ten seconds. [20] Broadband connections grew by nearly 80% in 2004. In 1999, there were 364 Internet service providers (ISPs). Public libraries also provide access to the internet, sometimes for a fee.

In 2017, 90% of households were reported to have access to an internet connection. This percentage shows an increase in internet access from 80% in 2012 and 61% in 2007. [21]

Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies

See also

Related Research Articles

BT Group plc is a British multinational telecommunications holding company headquartered in London, England. It has operations in around 180 countries and is the largest provider of fixed-line, broadband and mobile services in the UK, and also provides subscription television and IT services.

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The Isle of Man has an extensive communications infrastructure consisting of telephone cables, submarine cables, and an array of television and mobile phone transmitters and towers.

The services of communication in Jersey comprise Internet, telephone, broadcasting and postal services, which allow islanders to contact people and receive information.

O2 (typeset as O2) is a global brand name owned by the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica. The company uses the O2 brand for its subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Germany. Since 2018, it is also used as an online-only flanker brand in Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom</span>

In the United Kingdom, telephone numbers are administered by the Office of Communications (Ofcom). For this purpose, Ofcom established a telephone numbering plan, known as the National Telephone Numbering Plan, which is the system for assigning telephone numbers to subscriber stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vodafone Ireland</span> Irish telecommunication company

Vodafone Ireland Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vodafone Group, is a mobile phone network, broadband and TV provider in Ireland. It was created when the Vodafone Group bought Eircell, the mobile arm of Telecom Éireann. As of September 2019, Vodafone has 26% of broadband subscribers, and 43% of mobile phone subscribers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O2 (Ireland)</span> Former broadband and telecommunications provider in Ireland

Telefónica Ireland was a broadband and telecommunications provider in Ireland that traded under the O2 brand (typeset as O2). O2 Ireland was previously called Esat Digifone when it was owned by Esat Telecommunications (and Telenor) from 1997 to 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BT Ireland</span>

BT Communications (Ireland) Limited is a telecommunications and internet company in Ireland. It is a subsidiary of BT Group plc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Communications</span> British telephone company

Mercury Communications was a national telephone company in the United Kingdom, formed in 1981 as a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless, to challenge the then-monopoly of British Telecom (BT). Although it proved only moderately successful at challenging BT's dominance, it led the way for new communication companies to attempt the same.

Vodafone Limited, trading as Vodafone UK, is a British telecommunications company, owned by Vodafone Group, the world's eighth-largest telecommunications company. Vodafone is the third-largest mobile network operator in the United Kingdom, with 18.5 million subscribers as of July 2024, after O2 and EE, followed by Three. The country's first cellular phone call was made on the Vodafone network in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Link (retailer)</span> UK communications retailer

The Link was an internet based mobile phone and communications retailer in the United Kingdom. It was owned by Dixons Retail, the United Kingdom's largest consumer electronics retail group, and traded online through a dedicated retail website, which in addition to mobile phones also offered satellite navigation systems and broadband Internet services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Síminn</span> Icelandic telecommunications company

Síminn hf., previously named Landssíminn and Póstur og Sími, is an Icelandic telecommunications company. It offers communication services for both private and corporate clients, including mobile (2G/3G/4G/5G), landline (VoIP/POTS), Internet (ADSL/VDSL/FTTH) and IPTV services. Síminn also operates multiple TV channels and streaming services. Síminn is listed on the Icelandic stock exchange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange UK</span> 1994–2010 UK mobile network operator and ISP

Orange UK was a mobile network operator and internet service provider in the United Kingdom, launched in 1994. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but was purchased by France Télécom in 2000, which then adopted the Orange brand for all its other mobile communications activities. Orange UK merged with Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile UK to form a joint venture, EE in 2010. EE continued to operate the Orange brand until February 2015, when new connections and upgrades on Orange tariffs were withdrawn. Existing Orange customers could continue on their plans until March 2019.

Openreach Limited is a company wholly owned by BT Group plc, that maintain telephone cables, ducts, cabinets and exchanges that connect nearly all homes and businesses in the United Kingdom to various national broadband and telephone networks. They were established in 2006 following an agreement between BT and the UK's telecoms regulator, Ofcom, to implement certain undertakings, pursuant to the Enterprise Act 2002, to ensure that rival telecom operators have equality of access to BT's local network.

TalkTalk Telecom Group Limited is a British telecommunications company that provides pay television and Internet access services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 2003 as a subsidiary of Carphone Warehouse and was demerged as a standalone company in March 2010. Its headquarters are in Salford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BT Consumer</span> Retail division of BT Group

BT Consumer is the main retail division of United Kingdom telecommunications company BT Group that provides fixed-line, mobile, broadband and digital television to consumers in the UK. It buys access to some of these services from BT's other divisions: Openreach and EE. It is the largest consumer fixed-line and broadband ISP in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O2 (UK)</span> British telecommunications provider

Telefonica UK Limited, trading as O2 (stylised as O2), is a British telecommunications services provider, headquartered in Reading, England which operates under the O2 brand. It is owned by VMED O2 UK Limited, a 50:50 joint venture between Telefónica and Liberty Global. O2 is the UK's largest mobile network operator, with about 23.4 million subscribers as of October 2024.

EE is a British mobile network operator, internet service provider and a brand of BT Consumer, a division of BT Group. It was established in 2010 and is the second-largest mobile network operator in the United Kingdom, with 21.2 million customers as of September 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three UK</span> British communications provider

Hutchison 3G UK Limited, trading as Three UK, is a British telecommunications company based in Reading, England. It is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, a limited liability Cayman Islands company registered and listed in Hong Kong. Three is the fourth-largest mobile network operator in the United Kingdom, with about 10.9 million subscribers as of November 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "Events in British Telecomms History". Events in British TelecommsHistory. Archived from the original on 5 April 2003. Retrieved 25 November 2005.
  2. ↑ "History of Thales Telecommunications Services". Homepage.ntlworld.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  3. ↑ Office, Great Britain: National Audit (5 July 2006). The Creation of Ofcom: Wider Lessons for Public Sector Mergers of Regulatory Agencies. The Stationery Office. ISBN   9780102939125. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Fletcher, Yvette (20 January 2023). "Digital Voice and the landline phone switch-off: what it means for you". Which?. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  5. ↑ Seppala, Timothy J. (31 July 2013). "UK's O2 launches 4G service August 29th in London, Leeds and Bradford (updated)". Engadget. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  6. ↑ Trew, James (7 August 2013). "Vodafone UK confirms 4G network to launch August 29th, plans start at £26 a month". Engadget. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  7. ↑ Morris, Jonathan (5 February 2014). "Three's 4G network is live! First batch of customers activated this morning". Archived from the original on 4 January 2017.
  8. ↑ "Three adds 4G to all 8m customers, huge 2014 rollout plans listed". March 2014. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  9. ↑ Joe, Antasa (4 January 2010). "What's the difference between a traditional number and a virtual landline number?". Flower Telecom. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "Get Ready for 4G". Archived from the original on 1 September 2013.
  11. ↑ BBC News (2 October 2012). "4G timetable agreed by UK mobile network operators". Archived from the original on 4 October 2012.
  12. ↑ Kelion, Leo (31 July 2013). "UK completes 4G airwave clearance for mobile networks". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "List of phone numbers" (CSV). static.ofcom.org.uk.
  14. ↑ "1912to1968". www.btplc.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013.
  15. ↑ "1981 – 1983". Archived from the original on 29 July 2005. Retrieved 10 August 2005.
  16. ↑ "Kingston Communications 1904–2004 Communicating for 100 Years". kcom.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2005. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  17. ↑ "Facts & Figures". Ofcom. Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  18. ↑ "Vodafone Sees Loss of UK Market Share and Lower ARPUs". Cellular-news.com. 23 April 2009. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "UK prefers broadband to dial-up". BBC News. 19 July 2005. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  20. ↑ "Broadband in the UK gathers pace". BBC News. 20 December 2004. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  21. ↑ Open Government Licence. "Internet access – households and individuals: 2017". Office for National Statistics.

Bibliography

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