3

After winning the Third generation licence for new entrant in quarter 2 2000, Hutchison 3G UK Limited launched the brand name 3 in quarter 3 2002. It was the first 3G video network operator in Europe.

BT Cellnet (O2)

The second cellular network to launch in the UK after Vodafone. They have 17.5 million mobile customers in the UK, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the Isle of Man. O2 is one of the companies forming part of mmO2 who were the first company in the world to launch a commercial GPRS network. They hold 3G/UMTS licenses in the UK, Netherlands, and Germany and have applied for a 3G/UMTS license in Ireland.

Fresh

A Virtual Network provided by Carphonewarehouse which uses the T-Mobile network of transmitters. Fresh offers no line rental, no connection charge, no 12 month contract, no peak or off peak, free air time and roaming availability subject to conditions.

Orange

Launched in April 1994 Orange is now owned by France Telecom after being sold by Vodafone in April/May 2000. It was officially the UK's number one operator in terms of active customer numbers as at 25 July 2001 with over 12 million UK customers and over 30 million worldwide. They were the first network to offer dual band and then tri-band phones. Orange holds one of five 3G/UMTS licenses allocated to the UK for which it paid over £4 billion.

They have recently enabled photo messaging within the Orange network allowing pictures to be sent between orange users or to anyone with an email address.

T-Mobile(Formerly One2One)

Launched September 1993 and was the world’s first mobile communications network to use the 1800 MHz frequency. Since then it has grown to a subscriber base of over 6 Million and holds one of five 3G/UMTS licenses allocated to the UK.

Virgin

Virgin's service is a Virtual Network which uses the T-Mobile network of transmitters. It was launched in November 1999 and was the first operator to scrap peak rate calls. It uses a daily discount tariff meaning the more calls you make during the day the cheaper they get.

Vodafone

The first cellular network to launch in the UK in January 1985. Originally part of Racal Telecommunications it became and independent company in 1991, the same year that it launched the first UK GSM network. They acquired Mannesmann AG in February of 2000 subject to the sale of Orange. Vodafone have a customer base of over 95 million and interests in network operators across 28 countries. Vodafone holds the largest of the five 3G/UMTS licenses allocated to the UK.

Can't find what you're looking for? Try Jamster.