O2 tests roaming with the E-Plus network
Summary
In January 2015 O2 tested national roaming with the network of E-Plus, which had belonged to Telefónica since October 2014. Registered customers in the Gummersbach, Siegen and Altenkirchen area could use the E-Plus UMTS network, where O2’s coverage was poorer. LTE was explicitly excluded.
Ideas
- National roaming uses a second network to close coverage gaps.
- A regional test checks the merger of two networks before wide deployment.
- The takeover of E-Plus made its network usable for O2 customers.
Insights
- Network mergers improve coverage only step by step and differently from region to region.
- Integrating mobile networks is a process that takes years.
Facts
- The test covered only UMTS, not LTE.
- VIAG Interkom had already used national roaming in its early years, most recently with T-Mobile until January 2010.
References
Critique
- The report gives no schedule for a nationwide merger.
Recommendations
- Check network coverage at your most important locations before signing a contract.
- For critical connections, use providers with different network infrastructure.
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