Fourth generation mobile phone technology is set to be rolled out across Galway by networks from next month – offering users up to ten times their existing data speeds.
Vodafone and Meteor are currently conducting trials of the new high-speed ‘4G’ technology in Galway (and Clifden), with both operators expect to launch the service at the end of next month or early in October.
O2, which is now controlled by the same parent company as 3, is not expected to offer 4G in Galway until towards the end of the year, or early in 2014.
The higher speeds – already tested as being faster than eircom landline broadband in places – will enable customers to use their phones for online gaming, streaming High Definition TV and videos, as well as teleconferencing.
This will essentially turn smartphones into complete mobile entertainment devices, and potentially eliminates the need to find a WiFi hotspot.
The mobile operators also hope that 4G will offer an alternative to existing broadband subscriptions – where a signal is available, broadband would be available. Under licensing agreements, the operators must provide 70% coverage.
While the operators are promoting the launch of 4G, many customers in parts of County Galway continue to have problems getting existing 3G coverage – they have insisted they will also be investing in the existing technologies.
However, at the moment, it is estimated that only around 5% of smartphones are 4G compatible, such as the iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4, the HTC One and Nokia Lumia.
According to Vodafone: “As we roll out 4G across the country, there will be improved coverage for everyone. Everything you can now do on your smartphone or tablet, you’ll be able to do a whole lot better. You’ll experience amazingly fast uploads, lightning quick downloads and live streaming without the wait.”
The company says it will be offering upload speeds up to five times faster than landline and ten times faster than 3G and download speeds twice as fast as 3G.
