Vodafone U.K. Monday became the latest wireless operator to say it had successfully completed
a live voice call over its forthcoming third-generation (3G) network.
Vodafone launched its GPRS network earlier in April. It said that Monday’s 3G call was completed
over the operator’s initial 3G build-out of 30 radio base stations.
Vodafone said it expected to start commercially rolling out its 3G network in the second half of
2002. However, it added it will take as long as 2007 to roll out the service to the vast majority
of the U.K.’s population.
Last week, U.S. carrier Sprint PCS announced similar successful tests. While the U.S. generally
has been considered to be behind Europe in 3G deployment, Sprint PCS has an aggressive
timetable, claiming it will start rolling out the fast wireless service by the end of 2001.