Networks

BT Cellnet

Formed in 1983 Cellnet were one of the first networks in the United Kingdom. Now owned completely by British Telecom, BT Cellnet have over 8 million customers, handle over 30 million calls a day and cover 99% of the UK population. BT Cellnet have recently acquired one of the 3G/UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Service) licences. Prior to UMTS, BT Cellent expect to roll out their GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) to the majority of their customers by 2002. GPRS will allow BT Cellnet to deliver a new generation of mobile internet applications such as news, share prices and full email and electronic diary access.

One2One

The One2One network was formed in 1993. Today they have over six million subscribers and cover 98% of the United Kingdom. They have been owned by Deutche Telecom AG since 1999 and have recently invested £1.7 billion in the One2One network. They are highly innovative and have led the development of the mass market for mobiles in the UK. One2One paid £4 bn for one of the five 3G/ UMTS licences granted in the UK.

Orange

Launched in 1994 Orange is completely owned by France Telecom. They are one of the UK's fastest growing networks, developing from a customer base of 500,000 in 1996 to over 7 million customers to date. Orange advocate that they are committed to providing the best products and the highest quality of service. They received the award of the 'Most Innovative Service' at the year 2000 World Communications Awards. Orange bid £4.095 billion for one of the 3G/UMTS licences which will run for 20 years beginning in 2000.

Vodafone

Vodafone are owned entirely by Vodafone Airtouch plc. They launched in 1985 when they were part of the Racal Group. In 1991 they became an independent company but in 1999 they merged with American company Airtouch Communications inc. Vodafone promote a "Commitment to being the world's leading wireless communications company, providing more customers with more services and more value from their mobile terminals than any other." Vodafone acquired the largest of the 3G/UMTS licences available in the UK.

We are not the authors of this information, we thought it would be useful knowledge. This information can be found at

http://www.galaxyphones.co.uk/mobile_phone_manufacturers_and_networks.asp