T-Mobile and mmO2 to share 3G network costs

Now can we have some services...

European mobile phone giants T-Mobile and mmO2 have been given a green light by the EU to share the costs of third generation mobile phone systems. The European Commission hopes its approval will speed up the rollout of 3G within Europe where the new technology has become a source of concern and embarrassment following the high-profile licence auctions back in 2000, which raised around £50bn in the UK and Germany alone, but is yet to bear fruit. The high prices paid for licences and the subsequent crash in the telecoms sector has seen most companies tighten their purse strings to such an extent that many have been loathe to plough even more money into setting up the necessary networks. As such network sharing seemed to be the most financially viable option. Under the deal, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile and mmO2, which was spun off from BT earlier this year, plan to share antennae, base stations, and network components - saving an estimated $5bn between them. Competition Commissioner Mario Monti told Reuters: "The examination of the agreements between T-Mobile and mmO2 has led the Commission to believe that, provided the appropriate safeguards are in place, such cooperation deals can bring benefits for the consumer in terms of a faster introduction of new services, competition and a lesser impact to the environment."