Miles
05-06-2003, 07:55 AM
GLASGOW has become the first Scottish city to embrace third generation mobile phone technology with the launch of the new video mobile network.
The opening of mobile operator 3’s store in Argyle Street yesterday gave those seeking person-to-person video calls and access to real-time news and sports clips on their mobile, the first chance to buy and use the phones in Scotland.
However, the launch was soured by news that 3 UK’s expansion plans continue to be stymied by councillors in Edinburgh, who have imposed a ban on the use of council land for siting the mobile masts essential for the new technology.
Michael Alexander, 3’s community affairs manager, said: "We are delighted that video mobile is now available with 3 in Glasgow. 3’s customers will also be able to download movie clips, football highlights, entertainment news and comedy sketches."
Scotland has been included in one of Europe’s first 3G networks. Hutchison Whampoa, 3 UK’s Hong Kong-based parent, has stolen a lead on other mobile operators such as Vodafone and Orange, by offering the service.
In April, The Scotsman revealed that the technology will soon be available in 50 UK cities but would be delayed in Edinburgh because of the council’s policy.
The ban on locating 3 UK’s network of mast and base stations, often in sparsely populated areas and in such spots as golf courses and grass verges, has forced the company to seek alternative, private sites, often in more built up areas.
It is understood that the delay in bringing the technology to Edinburgh, which once stood at about a year behind Glasgow, is shrinking but will still be significant.
However, 3 UK has increased investment to find alternative sites to limit the delay in rolling out the service.
The decision by Edinburgh City Council to impose a moratorium on land use, is costing the city an estimated £500,000 in lost rental income from the 3 UK network alone.
The decision has been described by the SNP’s Kenny MacAskill as "absurd". He said: "We are going to be technologically behind cities such as Bradford, and with all respect, Edinburgh should not fall behind South Yorkshire."
Bill Furness, the chief executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, also criticised the decision.
He said: "There’s no doubt this will be damaging for the city. We really can’t afford to be one of the only UK cities which can’t receive the new third generation services.
"It’s very unfortunate and we want to see the moratorium overturned."
Since April, 3 UK believes that it has sidestepped the council’s objections by using private land, which would allow the service to start ahead of schedule. If there are any poor areas of reception, the video phones will simply revert to the 2G voice and data calls presently in operation across the country, without cutting off the caller.
However, despite the launch in Glasgow, the effort to persuade mobile users to switch to video calls is experiencing some problems.
Sales figures for the mobile handsets have been disappointing since 3 UK’s high-profile launch. Since March, the company has sold only 25,000 phones.
It has also under-performed its sister company in Italy, as software glitches added to 3 UK’s woes.
On Tuesday, the company announced that it was drafting in a new chief operating officer from its Italian subsidiary, 3 Italy, to boost UK sales.
More than 60 per cent of the UK population is now covered by the 3 UK network, with more than 800 stores set to open across 50 cities within the next few months.
Read More (http://www.news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=624582003)
The opening of mobile operator 3’s store in Argyle Street yesterday gave those seeking person-to-person video calls and access to real-time news and sports clips on their mobile, the first chance to buy and use the phones in Scotland.
However, the launch was soured by news that 3 UK’s expansion plans continue to be stymied by councillors in Edinburgh, who have imposed a ban on the use of council land for siting the mobile masts essential for the new technology.
Michael Alexander, 3’s community affairs manager, said: "We are delighted that video mobile is now available with 3 in Glasgow. 3’s customers will also be able to download movie clips, football highlights, entertainment news and comedy sketches."
Scotland has been included in one of Europe’s first 3G networks. Hutchison Whampoa, 3 UK’s Hong Kong-based parent, has stolen a lead on other mobile operators such as Vodafone and Orange, by offering the service.
In April, The Scotsman revealed that the technology will soon be available in 50 UK cities but would be delayed in Edinburgh because of the council’s policy.
The ban on locating 3 UK’s network of mast and base stations, often in sparsely populated areas and in such spots as golf courses and grass verges, has forced the company to seek alternative, private sites, often in more built up areas.
It is understood that the delay in bringing the technology to Edinburgh, which once stood at about a year behind Glasgow, is shrinking but will still be significant.
However, 3 UK has increased investment to find alternative sites to limit the delay in rolling out the service.
The decision by Edinburgh City Council to impose a moratorium on land use, is costing the city an estimated £500,000 in lost rental income from the 3 UK network alone.
The decision has been described by the SNP’s Kenny MacAskill as "absurd". He said: "We are going to be technologically behind cities such as Bradford, and with all respect, Edinburgh should not fall behind South Yorkshire."
Bill Furness, the chief executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, also criticised the decision.
He said: "There’s no doubt this will be damaging for the city. We really can’t afford to be one of the only UK cities which can’t receive the new third generation services.
"It’s very unfortunate and we want to see the moratorium overturned."
Since April, 3 UK believes that it has sidestepped the council’s objections by using private land, which would allow the service to start ahead of schedule. If there are any poor areas of reception, the video phones will simply revert to the 2G voice and data calls presently in operation across the country, without cutting off the caller.
However, despite the launch in Glasgow, the effort to persuade mobile users to switch to video calls is experiencing some problems.
Sales figures for the mobile handsets have been disappointing since 3 UK’s high-profile launch. Since March, the company has sold only 25,000 phones.
It has also under-performed its sister company in Italy, as software glitches added to 3 UK’s woes.
On Tuesday, the company announced that it was drafting in a new chief operating officer from its Italian subsidiary, 3 Italy, to boost UK sales.
More than 60 per cent of the UK population is now covered by the 3 UK network, with more than 800 stores set to open across 50 cities within the next few months.
Read More (http://www.news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=624582003)